Intellectual disabilities among prisoners: prevalence and mental and physical health comorbidities.

Hellenbach, Mike; Karatzias, Thanos; Brown, Michael

Abstract

Background


Limited evidence suggests that people with ID (ID) are overrepresented in prisons although prevalence rates of ID among prisoners vary significantly across studies, making it difficult to identify prevalence and assess existing need.


Method


A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted, and results were organized and compared in relation to study aims, design, measures used to screen for ID, sample, limitations and key findings.


Results


Existing international data suggest a prevalence of prisoners with ID between 7 and 10%. Most frequent coexisting health issues among this population are hearing and vision impairments, obesity, diabetes and a range of mental health disorders, notably anxiety and personality and conduct disorders.


Conclusion


More research is required on prevalence rates and associated comorbidities of ID within prison settings, taking into account the heterogeneity of the population with ID.

Citation

Hellenbach, M., Karatzias, T., & Brown, M. (2017). Intellectual disabilities among prisoners: prevalence and mental and physical health comorbidities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(2), 230-241. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12234

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 26, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 18, 2016
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Deposit Date: Mar 8, 2016
• Print ISSN: 1360-2322
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-3148
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 230-241
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12234
• Keywords: Comorbidities; criminal justice; intellectual disability; offenders; prevalence; prison
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9643
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12234