People with Learning Disabilities and the Scottish Criminal Justice System: Introduction

More Information and Resources

There is easy to understand information available from some of these organisations:

• Mencap's 'Make it Clear' campaign home page
  http://www.mencap.org.uk/document.asp?id=1579
• List of Books Beyond Words titles
  www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords/bbwtitlesa-z.aspx
• "Being a witness: a guide for child and adult vulnerable witnesses" - A CD Rom that includes useful information about going to court, video clips of witnesses giving evidence in court and using special measures, as well as a virtual tour of a courtroom. This is also available in DVD format.
  Published by the Scottish Government
  Copies are available by phoning: 0131 244 2213
• "Being a witness - going to court" - A booklet for adult witnesses in criminal and children's hearing court proceedings.
  Published by the Scottish Government
  Hard copies are available by phoning: 0131 244 2213
  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/04/26124648/0
• "Being a witness - the use of special measures" - A booklet for adult witnesses in criminal and children's hearing court proceedings.
  Published by the Scottish Government.
  Hard copies are available by phoning: 0131 244 2213
  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/04/26124813/ 2
• "What happens next?" A DVD resource for people with a learning disability
  Published by Lanarkshire ACE, Speak Out Advocacy Project. The DVD is available by phoning: 01355 230202.
• "Victims of Crime in Scotland" - A Scottish Government website with information for victims.
  www.scottishvictimsofcrime.co.uk
• "I am a witness in court - a guide for people with learning disabilities" - An easy-read booklet published by the Scottish Government.
  Hard copies are available by phoning: 0131 244 2213.
  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/criminal/17416/InformationMaterials
• British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Advocacy homepage
  www.bild.org.uk/04advocacy.htm
• Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Advocacy homepage
  www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/page.cfm?pagecode=ISRVADAR
• Voice UK, advice for advocacy and self-advocacy groups
  www.voiceuk.org.uk/trainequalaccess2.htm
• The UK Advocacy Network ( UKAN)
  www.ukan.co.uk/index.html
• The New Mental Health Act: An Easy Read Guide
  www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/03145057/0