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Chapter 21 - Offenders with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Four Nordic Countries

from Section 3 - Criminal Justice Pathways and Legal Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 May 2023

By
Erik Søndenaa  and
Søren Holst
Edited by
Jane M. McCarthy ,
Regi T. Alexander  and
Eddie Chaplin
Jane M. McCarthy
Affiliation:
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and University of Auckland
Regi T. Alexander
Affiliation:
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and University of Hertfordshire
Eddie Chaplin
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the practice, research, legislation and services models across the four Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland. There are marked differences in approaches to offenders with neurodevelopmental disorders across the Nordic countries. Most countries have defined thresholds around the functioning of the person in considering a person criminally irresponsible. Still, the approach to identification, care and treatment of offenders with these conditions within the criminal law remains unclear. Treatment facilities reflect the legislation and policy of the country with for example an inclusive perspective as in Sweden which provides no separate treatment facilities for offenders with intellectual disability (ID) or neurodevelopmental disorders. However, Norway and Denmark have taken a different approach and developed special care and treatment units for people with neurodevelopmental disorders who commit offences.

Keywords

Neurodevelopmental disordersIntellectual disabilitiesNordic countriesoffendersDenmarkFinlandNorwaySweden
Type
Chapter
Information
Forensic Aspects of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A Clinician's Guide
 , pp. 252 - 264
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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