Although the development of secure attachments has been shown to be more problematic for people with learning disabilities, there is a shortage of research into the attachment experience of people with learning disabilities who have broken the law. The present study used thematic analysis to explore the attachment experiences of 10 men with learning disabilities in secure settings. Attention was paid to formative relationship experiences in early life, along with an exploration of current relationships, with the content and direction of interviews being guided by participants. Two superordinate themes emerged from the analysis: "disempowerment" and "ineffective care". Results suggest that participants experienced a "double-bind of dependency" in which they felt a strong need for others, but had experienced unhelpful or harmful relationships. The clinical and practical implications for this are discussed.