Autistic and Under Arrest
This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.
About the autistic author markerJay White, B. (2026). Autistic and Under Arrest. In Neurodivergence and the Criminal Justice System (1st ed., pp. 30-47). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003638742-3 · ISBN : 9781003638742 · Place of publication : London
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Abstract
This chapter focuses on some of the systematic challenges facing Autistic people during and after arrest in England and Wales. Relative to the neurotypical majority, Autistic people face significant obstacles when interacting with the criminal justice system (CJS) - regardless of if such is experienced as a victim or a suspect. As a suspect, the stress of police contact intensifies pre-existing pressures experienced by Autistic individuals, resulting in increased vulnerability. Further, a fundamental misunderstanding of Autistic people and their needs, alongside a lack of suitable police facilities, ultimately results in the communicative and sensory needs of Autistic detainees not being met. With this in mind, the present chapter hopes to highlight some of these challenges in detail, and where possible, offer potential solutions and guidance. Nevertheless, it is important to note that systematic reform cannot be carried out at an individual level. As such, the primary purpose of this piece is to encourage discussion with the hope of generating meaningful change.
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