Why Are So Many People with ADHD Ending Up in Prison?

What if we told you that a huge number of people in the UK’s prisons are neurodivergent- many undiagnosed, unsupported, and misunderstood?

This week on You’re Wrong About ADHD, Katie and Sam are joined by Met Police Detective Daley Jones, who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and has become one of the UK’s leading voices on neurodiversity in policing. Together, they explore the powerful link between ADHD and the criminal justice system, and why it often starts with missed diagnoses at school.

Daley reveals how impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and people-pleasing can put undiagnosed ADHDers at risk of getting into trouble, and how a lack of understanding can make things worse at every stage- from arrest to court and prison. He also shares what it’s like to be a police officer with ADHD, the bias baked into the system, and the small changes that could make a big difference.

If you’ve ever wondered how society could better support neurodivergent people- or what real reform looks like- this episode is a must-listen.

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New episodes of You're Wrong About ADHD are available every Wednesday and Friday. Got a question or story for the team? Send it to [email protected]

You’re Wrong About ADHD is made in association with APX Content Ventures.