Mass Incarceration and Disability - Fact Sheet

Overview

People with disabilities and Deaf people are dramatically overrepresented throughout every stage of the criminal legal system. Yet disability is often overlooked in conversations about justice reform.

This fact sheet examines how disability intersects with incarceration, highlights disparities across the criminal legal system, and explains why disability equity must be central to efforts to reduce incarceration and improve outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• People with disabilities experience disproportionate involvement throughout the criminal legal system.

• Disability intersects with race, poverty, and other forms of systemic inequity.

• Many disabilities go unidentified or unsupported, leading to preventable justice involvement.

• Disability-centered reform benefits individuals, communities, and the justice system alike.

Download

Download the complete fact sheet for data, key findings, and recommendations.