Integrating treatment for offenders with an intellectual disability and personality disorder
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the rationale for appropriate treatment for offenders with personality disorder and intellectual disability co‐morbid with intellectual disability (ID), and to describe a specific treatment model.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides a narrative review of approaches to treatment for offenders with personality disorder and draws on the available research for the treatment of personality disordered offenders without ID as well as the treatment of offenders with ID.
Findings
The relevance and validity of the construct of personality disorder in intellectual disability is reviewed. Evidence from treatment of personality disorder in mainstream populations is summarized. A treatment model, which integrates adapted cognitive behavioural programmes with a social milieu approach, is then described. It is argued that this treatment model addresses the criminogenic, psychological and social needs of those with personality disorder and intellectual disability.
Practical implications
Services being developed for people with both intellectual disability and personality disorder should take account of the literature on treatment of mainstream personality disorder when developing treatment models.
Originality/value
There are few published papers concerning treatment approaches with offenders with intellectual disability and personality disorder. This descriptive paper will be of interest to clinicians working with such populations.
Keywords
Citation
Taylor, J. and Morrissey, C. (2012), "Integrating treatment for offenders with an intellectual disability and personality disorder", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 302-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636641211283101
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited