This book offers guidance for speech and language therapists and other professionals who are working in a criminal justice setting or who are interested to know more about this dynamic and rewarding client group.
The criminal justice system (CJS) includes police custody, community services, secure hospitals and prisons. Although each setting has its differences, there are overarching areas associated with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) within the population who find themselves coming into contact with the CJS.
These needs are many and varied: from social deprivation and developmental language disorder, to head injury, substance misuse and ADHD. The variety is both stimulating and challenging, and this book provides the reader with a range of resources to use with such a complex client base. Key features include:
- academic evidence about SLCN in the CJS
- accessible visuals explaining the systems pathways
- resources to support assessment and intervention
- information to support individuals with a range of overlapping needs.
Aimed primarily at speech and language therapists, the book also includes useful content for students, academics and professionals who wish to know more about SLCN within the CJS. As well as being full of useful infographics, this book includes a vast appendix of online material that can be downloaded and printed for use in practice.
Jacqui Learoyd is a speech and language therapist with experience of working with adults in secure hospitals and prisons. Jacqui works across all ages from 18 to end of life, trying to support the communication needs of this marginalised group at all stages of their criminal justice journey. She has specific interests in de-escalating tense situations via communication, supporting competence in social communication and helping everyone to understand that just because a person can talk, it doesn’t mean that they are skilled in understanding and expression.
Karen Bryan is a professor and Vice-Chancellor at York St John University. She previously worked as a consultant speech and language therapist in a high-secure setting for 15 years. Her research interests are in communication difficulties in young offenders and in forensic populations, as well as the impact of communication difficulties on access to health care.
