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<p /> <p>No specific screening is carried out by probation staff for low IQ or for
learning disability. However, the Offender Assessment System (OASys) makes specific
reference to whether learning difficulties have been disclosed; in addition, it invites
the offender manager to consider whether there is any evidence of speech, language
or communication difficulties, as well as how these might be addressed. Each offender
on licence will also have a risk management plan and sentence plan, where any learning
difficulties should be identified and considered.</p><p> </p><p>During recall considerations,
an offender manager must consider whether the offender’s behaviour indicates that
they present an increased “risk of serious harm” (in terms of the OASys classifications)
to the public or an imminent risk of further offences being committed. Recall must
also be considered in cases where contact between the offender manager and the offender
has broken down. Consideration may be given to the context and intent of the behaviour
that breached the licence. Thus, the offender manager must consider whether the offender
understood sufficiently the breached condition and its implications. Alternatively,
the offender manager should consider whether the breach arose as a result of a lack
of support. In considering these things, the offender manager should take into account
learning difficulties, disabilities or a low IQ.</p><p> </p><p>We plan to introduce
the ‘Basic Custody Screening Tool’ (BCST) to all prisons in January as part of the
Transforming Rehabilitation Programme. Once this has rolled out, all offenders entering
custody, including all those recalled to custody, will be asked whether they have
a learning difficulty or disability; and if so, to specify the nature of the difficulty
or disability. The answers will inform their resettlement plan.</p>
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