Abstract

Purpose: Fire setters who have an intellectual disability (ID) are often identified as
posing a particular danger to the community although relatively little is known about
their characteristics, treatment, and support needs.
Methodology: This study describes the characteristics of 134 residents of low,
medium, and high security ID facilities in the United Kingdom who have either an
index offence of arson, comparing them with those who have a violentn index
offence, involving either violent or a sexual indexal offenceding.
Findings: Index arson offenders who had an ID had multiple prior convictions, a
history of violent offending, and a high likelihood of having a comorbid mental
disorder. There were many shared characteristics across the three groups.
Practical implications: The current study suggests that offenders who have ID who
set fires have treatment needs that are similar to those of violent and sex offenders. It
follows that fire setters who have an ID may also benefit from participating in more
established offending behaviour treatment programs, such as cognitive behaviour
therapy programs, developed for other types of offender.
Originality: This study is one of the few which has investigated the characteristics
and treatment needs of persons who have an ID who set fires. In particular, it is one of
the first to compare the characteristics and treatment needs for persons with ID who
set fires, to those who have committed violent and sexual offences.