"Are You Able-Bodied?" Embodying Accountability in the Modern Criminal Justice System

Area of Science:

• Criminal Justice
• Disability Studies
• Socioeconomics

Background:

• Monetary sanctions are frequently used in the criminal justice system to ensure accountability.
• The interaction between individuals with disabilities and monetary sanctions remains poorly understood.
• Limited work capacity among individuals with disabilities presents unique challenges within this system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how individuals with disabilities interact with monetary sanctions within the criminal justice system.
• To identify the consequences of these interactions for individuals with disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing courtroom observations.
• In-depth interviews with individuals with disabilities in Washington State.

Main Results:

• Courts acknowledge disability when imposing and monitoring monetary sanctions.
• Individuals with disabilities are frequently caught in a continuous loop of administrative hearings.
• These hearings result in severe financial and health repercussions for affected individuals.

Conclusions:

• The current system of monetary sanctions creates a detrimental cycle for individuals with disabilities.
• There is a need for systemic changes to mitigate the negative financial and health consequences.
• Further research should explore policy interventions to support this population.