Are autistic people overrepresented in the criminal justice system (CJS)?

This question was investigated in a recent systematic review by Verity Chester and colleagues. In the general population, rates of autism are estimated to be 1%.

In 24 of 25 studies reporting data on autistic people within prisons, courts, and forensic psychiatric services, rates of autism were higher than this, suggesting that autistic people are overrepresented. The literature suggested that autistic people faced additional challenges at every stage within the CJS, from navigating police interviews and court proceedings to the availability of rehabilitative programmes within prisons and forensic services. Late diagnosis, lack of post-diagnosis support, and low autism awareness can all contribute to poorer outcomes.

The paper is available open access from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14789949.2025.2558833