Intellectual Functioning Assessments in Prison

The exact prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) within the criminal justice system remains unknown. However, there exists a proportion of the prison population with ID, reducing their ability to cope in prison (HMIP, 2015), highlighting the requirement for accurate assessment and appropriate supports. This chapter reviews the concept of ID, the role of IQ in diagnosis and the importance of measuring adaptive functioning (AF) and the challenges associated with assessing ID in a prison setting. In response to these challenges, changes have been made to the assessment of ID by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to include adaptive functioning (AF). This chapter provides an evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of the new assessment approaches with a focus on those who have committed sexual offences.