The SelfWISE Programme has been specifically created for neurodivergent women in custody, with the aims of practising problem-solving skills, increasing self-esteem, and improving prospects when released.
Research shows that neurodivergent women in prison experience distinct challenges to neurotypical women.
ADHD, particularly alongside substance misuse, may be a significant risk factor for suicidality amongst prisoners.
Female offenders who are neurodiverse are more likely to feel vulnerable in prison and experience bullying by peers.
Evidence shows that, compared to men, formerly incarcerated women may face poorer mental health, heightened risk of substance use, and greater barriers to employment and housing. These risks are amplified for women with neurodivergence.
This programme is intended to be a ‘first step’ to encouraging the women to have further, more intensive engagement with professionals, by equipping them with the skills that will make this easier for them.
A key goal of the 9-10 sessions course, with one or two sessions in Bronzefield each week, is to help the women to better understand themselves and their neurodiversity; the broader aims are to encourage neurodiversity-affirming attitudes, improve overall wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety whilst in custody, and boost self-advocacy.
Shira explains just why this programme is needed:
“Research shows that neurodivergent women are an underdiagnosed, under-studied, and under-supported cohort in the CJS. Furthermore, neurodiverse prisoners are often expected to fit into rigid systems that were designed without consideration of people’s cognitive differences.
To try and remedy this, SelfWISE takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach; that intervention designed for neurodiverse prisoners ought not to strive to be ‘treatment’, but rather should aim to provide individuals with tools to better understand their own internal workings – such as psychoeducation, mindfulness, and executive function skills. Therefore, we hope to increase participant self-esteem, foster a sense of belonging, increase confidence in their ability to navigate the world in a prosocial manner upon release, and to promote higher levels of retention and engagement in further services.
SelfWISE addresses a significant gap in support – that neurodivergent women in prison seldom access intervention services unless they are deemed stable and insightful enough for long-term, intensive work. Here, we aim to support the many women who are not yet ready for these services, to uplift and empower them to become ‘self-wise’, and to prevent them from falling through the gaps in services.”
About Advance
Advance is an innovative national charity, founded in 1998 to support women and girls to lead safe and equal lives.
We support women and girls affected by trauma as a result of their experiences of domestic abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system. Many of the people we support experience multiple, intersecting challenges, such as concerns around personal safety, unstable housing, and mental ill health. We offer practical and emotional support whenever and wherever it is required. Advance works with a wide network of partners across London and six other regions to deliver coordinated, effective support and values collaboration with local services.
Whilst the majority of our work is focussed on women and girls, we recognise that people of all genders can experience abuse. We have a number of domestic abuse services that work with all genders, including in East Sussex.
Media enquiries
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