Young criminals are to undergo intelligence testing to determine whether they are suffering from minor learning disabilities in order to allow the government to adjust its policies accordingly.

This is the recommendation of the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles in an advisory note to the deputy ministers of public health, welfare and sports, and justice.

The council says these young people suffer from serious problems and are over-represented in the justice system. Learning disabilities are quite common among repeat offenders and young people under psychiatric detention orders.

(gsh/imm)

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