Offending in the learning disabled population: a retrospective audit of Tayside learning disability service court reports

Abstract

The literature regarding offending in the learning disabled population is limited; the effects of normalisation and deinstitutionalisation on offending behaviour is not yet determined. We retrospectively examined 93 court reports completed by the Tayside learning disability service since 1986.

Twenty patients were not considered to be learning disabled. Sixty-four of the subjects deemed learning disabled faced charges, the most common being public order offences, which was in common with previous reports. Eighteen per cent of these had a co-morbid mental illness, the majority attracting a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Inpatient assessment, assessment as a day patient or probation were recommended for about two-thirds. Fewer than 50% of cases had no psychiatric recommendation made to the court. There was a predominance of arson and sexual offending. Arsonists were twice as likely as sex offenders to be recommended for inpatient treatment.