The Prison Reform Trust and the Association of Youth Offending Team Manager's report, called Seen and Heard: Supporting Vulnerable Children in the Youth Justice System, says that the youth justice system is too quick to send those with learning disabilities to prison.
A quarter of young offenders have an IQ of less than 70 and a similar proportion have special educational needs.
Based on a survey of youth offending team (YOT) staff, the report says courts are failing to recognise the needs of those with learning disabilities or prevent discrimination.
Decisions on whether to imprison young offenders are based more on how they behave or look in court rather, the report found.
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