Beliefs about and perspectives of the criminal justice system of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A qualitative study
Jennifer C. Sarrett, Alexa Ucar
Abstract
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) have disproportionately negative experiences in the criminal justice system as both victims and as the accused. While there are some programs aimed at addressing these disparities, most are not informed by people with these disabilities. The current project addresses this need. Twenty-seven adults with I/DDs were interviewed about any experience they had with criminal justice—positive or negative, formal or informal. Here, their beliefs about and advice for criminal justice professional are presented. Overall, findings in both areas were varied based on disability level, race, gender, and type of interaction with the system. The most frequent claim was the need for a higher level of respect. These findings suggest that people with I/DDs feel that they should be treated with more respect and their disability merits more attention in criminal justice interactions. These thoughts could prove helpful in reducing disparities in the criminal justice system.