title: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Examination of the Lived Experience of Incarceration for those with Autism.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the lived experience of incarceration for those with autism using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Eight adults who were incarcerated in New South Wales, Australia, were interviewed. The lived experience of incarceration for the participants was about being in an unpredictable environment characterised by ever-changing routines and complex social situations. Participants were deprived of their ability to create predictability in their environment, and experienced confusion and distress when forced to comply with actions that were in conflict with their logic. Mental health nursing case management is recommended to address the needs of incarcerated persons with autism.
authors.affiliation: a Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Practice Development Unit , Long Bay Correctional Centre , Malabar , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: b Southern Cross University , Nursing , Lismore , Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cashin
authors.affiliation: c University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons