There is currently extremely limited research that engages autistic prisoners directly as informants and even less research that asks them about their lived experiences of prison life. This study aims to fill this data gap and provides insights into the experiences of prisoners with autism, detained on a specialist wing, before and in the aftermath of COVID-19.
The research began by interviewing two experts from the National Autistic Society (NAS), instrumental in the design of the NAS Autism Accreditation ‘Prison Standards’. These standards promote positive outcomes for autistic prisoners. The aim of Phase Two was to capture the lived experiences of prison life for individuals with autism within an environment where the NAS standards were being implemented. Fieldwork was conducted in a category B male prison in the UK over two visits, with a total of eight men with autism and three members of staff. Interviews with the first three prisoners took place in 2019, with the remaining five prisoners conducted in 2021.
Four key themes were identified: social interaction and relationships, education, adjustments, and accommodations, and COVID-19. Through exploring these themes this thesis provides new insights into the ways in which individuals with autism are at times affected by “double disadvantages” in custody. Participants during both visits described many autism-specific accommodations they found helpful, but personal circumstances, backgrounds, and individual needs determined whether such accommodations were appropriate. Lockdown and social distancing measures introduced during COVID-19 were unexpected and unplanned circumstances, which added an interesting and unique aspect to this thesis.
This thesis does not agree nor disagree with specialist wings, instead it recognises the importance of a supportive environment that can cater for the needs of individuals with autism, and questions whether this is achievable in a prison system that is overcrowded, understaffed, and designed to punish.
