ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author’s original research, which considered the relationship between identified neurological immaturities and the evidence of significant behavioural difficulties, began in 1988. The youngsters in that sample, aged between 9 and 16 years, were allocated day or residential provision outside mainstream education because of their emotional and behavioural difficulties. The author visited the young offenders’ institution on a number of occasions between July and November 1996. Many studies have provided evidence which highlights the high incidence of specific and generalised learning difficulties within the young offenders and prison population. The socio-economic groupings of committed youngsters have been examined and they are likely to come from backgrounds where there have been high levels of material deprivation. The majority of youngsters cited school failure and peer group pressure as major factors in their offending behaviour.
