Respectability just released a white paper on the intersection of Disability and Criminal Justice Reform. The report begins by highlighting what we have come to know at The Arc of Northern Virginia quite personally– people with developmental disabilities are much more likely to have negative interactions with the justice system and end up incarcerated than the typically developing population.
In light of this report, we have updated our Justice Guides. There is a version for people with disabilities and their families aimed at planning to prevent negative interactions and how to managed if something goes wrong. We have a parallel guide for attorneys hired to represent people with developmental disabilities to learn about the unique needs and rights of their new clients.
To Read and Download these guides go to our Advocacy Page.