Disability, discrimination and the criminal justice system

Abstract

This paper examines the experience of disabled people in the British criminal justice system, paying particular attention to people with learning difficulties. Two aspects of the criminal justice system are discussed. The first concerns the nature of specific legislation which impacts on disabled people. The second refers to recent cases where there has been a miscarriage of justice. Several of the individuals wrongly convicted in such cases have had learning difficulties. The paper argues that disabled people experience discrimination within the criminal justice system, Tackling this discrimination must form part of the agenda for civil rights for disabled people.