Experiences of Autistic People in Police Custody: The Need for Adjustments to Improve Participation in the Custody Process.
Autistic detainees say custody feels unbearably bright, loud, and confusing—simple environmental and language fixes can improve participation and safety.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Jackson et al. (2025) talked with autistic adults who had been held in police custody.
The team used long interviews so people could describe, in their own words, what felt hard and what would have helped.
They focused on the custody suite itself—booking, cell time, and interviews—rather than the street arrest.
What they found
Detainees said bright lights, noise, and unclear rules made them want to escape.
Many did not understand why they were arrested or what would happen next.
They asked for simple fixes: turn lights down, explain each step, let them keep a comfort object, and give written rules.
How this fits with other research
Green et al. (2020) and Bitsika et al. (2020) already showed autistic adults fear police will misread stimming or quiet speech.
The new study extends those fears into the custody room and names exact environmental triggers.
Bassett-Gunter et al. (2017) found courts also lack autism adjustments; A et al. match that gap inside custody suites and give a ready list of changes.
Granillo et al. (2022) showed trained officers still use high-control moves; detainees in A et al. say the same, proving training alone is not enough—suites must also change.
Why it matters
If you write behavior plans or consult to forensic teams, share the detainees’ short list: lower lights, plain language, step-by-step rules, and sensory breaks.
These low-cost tweaks can cut escalation, keep staff safe, and help autistic people give accurate statements.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The aim of this study was to understand what influences autistic people's experiences of police custody and how their participation in the custody process may be affected. In addition, the study aimed to understand what strategies may mitigate any potential difficulties autistic people have in police custody. Twelve autistic people were interviewed about their experiences of being detained in police custody as suspects and their views on how to improve support in this setting. Participants described how the combined impact of not being able to understand their arrest and detention as suspects and having to cope with the demands associated with being detained in the custody environment, adversely affected their participation in the custody process. They referred to experiencing a desire to escape police custody which influenced the how they made key decisions and engaged in the police interview. Because of these negative experiences and potential consequences, participants also discussed the importance of making adjustments in order to mitigate the potential impact on their participation in the custody process. The findings illustrate how the overall experiences of autistic people are influenced by the combination of the difficulties experienced by autistic people understanding their arrest and detention, being able to cope with the custody environment and the detrimental impact this can have on their participation in the custody process. They also demonstrate the importance of making adjustments to support their participation in the custody process.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2025 · doi:10.1177/1462474517722176