Profiling Speech and Language Therapy Delivery in Custodial Youth Justice Settings in England: A Case Study Series

A high prevalence of speech, language and communication needs are reported amongst individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. Speech and language therapists are increasingly employed to support people within prisons. As this is a relatively new area of clinical practice, there is limited research evidence to inform service delivery. Case studies are a first step in providing evidence of the effectiveness of speech and language therapy within a custodial environment. This study aims to profile the delivery of speech and language therapy in custodial youth justice settings in England, identifying the facilitators and barriers affecting these services.

Speech and language therapists working within two custodial youth justice settings in England described examples of speech and language therapy intervention they delivered in their settings (four case studies from one setting and two case studies from another). Six case studies are presented, profiling speech and language therapy for six male participants, aged 17-21. A case study template included background information, referral information, assessment details, intervention details, and session descriptions.

A variety of intervention approaches were used based on the individual's needs. These were all reported following a framework developed in an earlier study. The intervention duration ranged between 25 and 510 min, consisting of 1-13 sessions. Intervention was provided both in individual and group settings and employed functional and impairment-based approaches. The outcomes of intervention were: an increase in self-awareness of strengths and needs, use of self-advocacy strategies, learning and using strategies to support effective communication, and a self-reported increase in well-being and self-esteem.

This case series highlights the range of interventions and approaches currently used in custodial youth justice settings in England. Further research is needed to explore speech and language therapy's role in contributing to functional outcomes and its impact on mental health, well-being, and recidivism rates.