Neurodiversity in the Prison System
This project was commissioned by a communications agency to support understanding of the experiences of neurodiverse women within the criminal justice system (CJS), alongside the perspectives of professionals working with this group. The research was designed to focus on gathering detailed, first-hand qualitative evidence.
Approach
The project used a qualitative methodology comprising individual depth interviews and professional group discussions.
Several one-to-one depth interviews were conducted with women who identified as neurodivergent and had direct experience of the criminal justice system (CJS), including police custody, court proceedings, prison, young offender institutions, probation or community supervision. Interviews were conducted remotely by telephone or online, depending on participant preference and access needs.
In addition, two online focus groups were conducted with professionals working within the criminal justice system. Participants included staff working in prisons, young offender institutions, probation services and community rehabilitation settings, all of whom had experience supporting or working with neurodivergent women. Group discussions were conducted via Teams and lasted approximately 60 minutes.
Depth interviews with neurodiverse women explored experiences of diagnosis, contact with the criminal justice system, access to support and adjustments, experiences in custody and on probation, the impact of neurodivergence on offending and court processes, and reflections on how the system could better support neurodivergent women
Focus groups with criminal justice professionals examined recognition and understanding of neurodiversity, current practices for identification and support, barriers within the system, training and guidance needs, experiences of supporting neurodivergent women in custody and the community, and views on post-release support and reoffending
All interviews and group discussions were conducted using structured topic guides, with informed consent obtained for recording. Audio or video recordings were professionally transcribed, and transcripts were provided as the final output. No interpretative report or analysis was required or produced as part of the commission.
Latest News
M·E·L News
Emily Preston-Jones to speak at the ChEW Festival of Impact and Evaluation
May 2026
Will you be at this year’s Charity Evaluation Working Group (ChEW) Festival of Impact and Evaluation? We’re delighted to share that our Senior Evaluation Manager, Emily Preston-Jones, will be joining clients from The Wildlife Trusts, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to explore an important question facing the sector: how can meaningful community action for nature be effectively captured and…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
M·E·L Research signs the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge
May 2026
We are proud to extend our commitment to the Armed Forces community beyond our Armed Forces Community market research and evaluation services by signing the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge, reinforcing our ongoing dedication to supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families. The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise that those who serve or have served in the…
Read the full post
Industry Insights
What the Football Business Awards Tell Us About the Future of Sport
May 2026
The Football Business Awards are usually associated with the commercial side of the game. Sponsorships, marketing campaigns, stadium experiences and partnerships tend to dominate the headlines. But spending time at this year’s awards showed something slightly different. Increasingly, football is recognising organisations that understand supporters properly, invest in communities and use evidence to shape decisions.
Read the full post
Industry Insights
Mental Health Awareness Week: Taking Action to Support Good Mental Health
May 2026
Mental health affects every community, workplace, and family, and Mental Health Awareness Week provides an important opportunity to reflect on the ways we can all help support positive mental wellbeing.
This year’s theme, “Taking action to support good mental health,” highlights the importance of creating supportive environments, improving access to help, and ensuring people feel listened to and understood. At M·E·L Research, this is reflected both in how we support our team and in the research and evaluation work we deliver with organisations across the UK.
Read the full post
M·E·L News
Project Announcement: Understanding Public Perspectives on Marine Decommissioning
May 2026
the Marine Environment) project, funded by INSITE North Sea as part of the INSITE Phase 3 programme ( Phase 3 – Research Projects – INSITE North Sea). This collaborative initiative brings together a strong partnership of organisations, led by Prof Sian Rees at the University of Plymouth, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, the National Decommissioning Centre, and specialist consultancy partners. Together…
Read the full post
Industry Insights
Women’s Sport Is Thriving in the UK. So Why Is Sexism and Misogyny Still Holding It Back?
April 2026
It’s a been a big week for women’s sport in the UK. The Women’s Six Nations kicked off this past weekend, while the Lionesses took on a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night in a repeat of the Euro 2025 final. Both matches aired on BBC One, underlining the growing prominence and mainstream appeal of England’s women’s teams in the last few years. This moment is part of a much broader surge in visibility and investment. From the UEFA European Women’s Championship 2022…
Read the full post
