Prison Accommodation: Autism

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has a small number of prisons with specialist wings or units designed to cater for the needs of neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism. As of October 2025, nine sites reported that they have a neurodiversity wing and/or specialist unit and 10 sites stated that they were currently developing one within their site. A needs-led approach is applied, with support based on prisoners' needs rather than their specific diagnosis, and Neurodiversity Support Managers lead a whole-prison approach to ensuring consistent support for neurodivergent individuals across the prison environment.

To determine how many prisoners with a diagnosis of autism are accommodated in specially adapted wings would require consultation with all establishments within the estate, which could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

HMPPS is committed to improving support for neurodivergent people in prison, including those with autism. The Cross-Government Neurodiversity Action Plan which was released in 2022 set out the progress that had been made, working alongside health and justice partners, monitoring delivery across the criminal justice system. A final update of the Action Plan, published in February, marked the progress made by the current Government in improving support for those with neurodiverse needs and next steps.