logo
episode-header-image
Oct 16
43m 32s

ADHD, the Criminal Justice System and Co...

Kate Moryoussef
About this episode

In this week’s episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, we’re shining a light on the critical but often ignored intersection between ADHD and the criminal justice system.

I’m joined by Sarah Templeton, CEO of ADHD Liberty, counsellor, author of The Prison Counsellor, and tireless campaigner for ADHD awareness in prisons, probation, and homelessness services. Sarah shares how her powerful personal and professional journey of late diagnosed ADHD has led her to dedicate her work to supporting those misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated by a system that labels ADHD traits as “bad” behaviour rather than unmet needs.

With a fierce belief in rehabilitation, Sarah discusses common ADHD traits that can trigger "bad behaviour", practical ways ADHD can be managed behind bars without medication, and how improved understanding of ADHD can transform self-esteem, life outcomes, and even steer individuals from criminality to entrepreneurship.

Her work is paving the way for a world where ADHD isn’t punished but supported, and where young people are guided away from the school-to-prison pipeline.

My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is now available, grab your copy here!

What You'll Learn:

  • Why society must stop labelling ADHD as “naughty” and start supporting it as a neurological condition
  • Why ADHD traits like impulsivity and boundary-pushing are often misread as “bad behaviour”
  • How poor self-esteem and shame in undiagnosed ADHD can drive offending
  • Sarah's work to create ADHD awareness videos in prisons
  • How parenting can be the turning point between criminality and creativity
  • The urgent need for ADHD screening in schools, prisons, probation, addiction and homelessness services
  • What managing ADHD without medication or exercise looks like in prison (e.g. breathwork, mindset strategies)
  • The role of ADHD awareness in rehabilitation
  • The importance of research into ADHD and criminality, and the transformational effects of diagnosis and rehabilitation

Understanding ADHD as a condition rather than a moral failing can significantly enhance self-esteem and promote recovery for those affected, as well as improve the criminal justice system. To help the School-to-Prison Pipeline, click here.

Timestamps:

  • 07:30 - Understanding ADHD in the Criminal Justice System
  • 12:34 - The Transformative Power of Awareness and Self-Understanding
  • 15:42 - Addressing ADHD in Prisons: The Need for Specialised Support
  • 25:01 - Understanding ADHD in the Criminal Justice System
  • 26:10 - Changes Required in the Education System Regarding ADHD
  • 28:19- Understanding ADHD in Rehabilitation
  • 36:04 - Raising ADHD Awareness in Prisons

Join the More Yourself Community - the doors are now open!

More Yourself is a compassionate space for late-diagnosed ADHD women to connect, reflect, and come home to who they really are. Sign up here!

Inside the

Up next
Nov 20
Female Friendships and ADHD: How to Find Your Tribe and Build Meaningful Neurodivergent Connections
<p>In this week’s episode of <em>The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast</em>, we’re exploring the emotional complexities of female friendship through the lens of ADHD!</p><p>I'm joined by <strong>Dr. Gilly Kahn</strong>, a clinical psychologist and author of <a href="https://www.amaz ... Show More
47m 43s
Nov 13
Same Diagnosis, Different Journeys with You’re Wrong About ADHD's Sam Pittis & Katie Breathwick
In this week’s episode of The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, we’re exploring the emotional, relational, and creative realities of living with ADHD, both before and after diagnosis.I'm joined by Sam Pittis and Katie Breathwick, Classic FM broadcasters and hosts of You’re Wrong Ab ... Show More
47m 23s
Nov 10
How Do We Release Our Internal ADHD Pressure and Expectations?
In this episode of More Yourself, I'm sharing a clip from a recent SEED Talk I presented back in July, focusing on how we can work with our uniquely wonderful ADHD brains, rather than against them. Understanding our ADHD brain is a key element of healing, but we don't have to fac ... Show More
19m 53s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
ADHD, Hormones + Perimenopause Chaos: You’re Not Imagining It | Adele Wimsett
EP. 211: In this episode, I’m sitting down with UK-based women’s health practitioner Adele Winslett to talk about the intersection of ADHD, neurodivergence, and the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause. It’s a raw, honest conversation about what happens when estrogen dips and ... Show More
1h 15m
Aug 2024
How to Go From Underwater to Thriving With ADHD | Dr. Laura Gouge
Ep 127. What does ADHD *really* look and feel like – and does it manifest differently for women and men? Is it truly a lack of attention, or an “interest based nervous system,” where you have the ability to also hyperfocus where you’re truly passionate? Dr. Laura Gouge, a naturop ... Show More
1h 28m
Sep 23
A nerdy deep dive into ADHD and Anxiety
<p>Let’s talk about the link between Anxiety and ADHD—how executive function challenges fuel both conditions and how you can improve anxiety with an ADHD approach.</p> <p>Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membe ... Show More
29m 40s
Apr 2025
Cambridge Educated Psychiatrist Shares New ADHD Treatment | Dr Judith Mohring
Dr Judith Mohring has over 25 years' experience of clinical and organisational practice having studied medicine at Cambridge and graduating as a gold medal finalist. She enjoyed a distinguished career as a private psychiatrist in the City and Harley Street before founding The Nat ... Show More
59m 2s
Aug 27
349: ADHD in Kids Explained + How The SPECT Brain Scan Guides Care | Dr. Steven Storage
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Storage, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in both adult and child/adolescent psychiatry. We explore how SPECT brain scans can reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses, the different subtypes of ADHD and their unique treatment approaches ... Show More
1h 9m
Sep 30
This SIMPLE (and proven) hack helped 10,000 ADHD Women | The ADHD Expert
Brooke Schnittman is a world leading, award winning, ADHD coach and expert, having coached thousands of women with ADHD. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, paralysed by thought, confused or just broken, then Brooke will help explain why you’re often misunderstood. Chapters: 00:00 T ... Show More
42 m
Sep 12
How to Feel your Feelings: Step-by-Step Exercise and full debrief w/ Thomas McConkie, Mindfulness
<p>Together we're going to do a Meditation for Emotions with Mindfulness Instructor Thomas McConkie. We're going to talk about how to work with the embodiment of emotions and how to create space for all our feelings, even the ones that are painful or frightening. You can learn mo ... Show More
43m 23s
Mar 2025
Bitesize | 3 Surprising Truths about Female Hormones and ADHD
Did you know about the women's hormone MOT, and how you can use it to greatly improve your ADHD traits? Adele Wimsett is a leading expert on the link between women's hormones, menopause and ADHD. Today, she shares some simple steps you can take to see an increase in your mood, pr ... Show More
12m 48s
Sep 8
#1 Harvard Doctor: THIS food turns ADHD into a SUPERPOWER in 3 hours! - Dr Georgia Ede
Dr Georgia Ede is a Harvard trained psychiatrist specialising in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. She is the author of the book, ‘Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: A powerful plan to improve mood, overcome anxiety and protect memory for a lifetime of optimal mental health’ ... Show More
1h 21m
Jan 2025
255 | 6 Journaling Prompts to Reset Your Health Habits & Up-level Your Sleep, Exercise & Nutrition in 2025
In today&#39;s episode we are diving into nutrition, sleep & exercise! You&#39;ll get journaling prompts to help you:identify what habits & choices you want to leave in 2024create a vision of how you can improve these areas of your lifetune in your best self energy for how you ca ... Show More
23m 22s