Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State with for Health and Social Care and (b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department on safeguarding autistic people who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to meeting the needs of all vulnerable people who come into contact with the criminal justice system, including those with autism. We understand the importance of working closely with partners across government to support this cohort.

In October year, Robert Buckland MP, Secretary of State for Justice, had a bilateral meeting with Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Autism and learning difficulties within the criminal justice system was an agenda item at this meeting.

DHSC and the Department for Education are leading a refresh of the cross-government Autism Strategy, for which the MoJ is one of five signatories. My department is contributing to the refresh, including work to improve data capture on autism, and to increase – through training and awareness – the ability of staff in the criminal justice system to better understand and support individuals with autism.

We are also working to promote Autism Accreditation across the prison estate and probation, and to share best practice from the three prisons and one probation area that have achieved the prestigious award. Autism Accreditation is a quality-assurance scheme run by the National Autistic Society, which demonstrates that a certain level of support is in place for autistic people.

The MoJ is also working with officials across government, including the Home Office, as part of the Cabinet Office-led National Strategy for Disabled People. This represents an opportunity to develop cross-government wide policies to support people with disabilities, including autism.