Intellectually Disabled People and the NSW Courts

Authors

Linda Roslyn Steele, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

75472

Publication Details

L. Roslyn. Steele, Intellectually Disabled People and the NSW Courts (2009).

Link to publisher version (URL)

ABC Radio National

Additional Publication Information

Transcript & Audio available via ABC National Radio link

Abstract

Intellectually disabled people form only two per cent of the population. But they account for a quarter of the people who appear before the NSW local courts. Why the over-representation? Despite programs aimed at diverting people from the courts, many fall between the cracks. The help they need isn't available, so they keep on offending, keep coming back to court, and all too often they end up in jail.