The forgotten prisoners: Exploring the impact of imprisonment on people with disability in Australia

Abstract

People with disability represent a significant proportion of Australia’s prison population; however, little is known about their experiences or the institutional barriers they may face. Drawing from 24 in-depth interviews with 28 participants and one written submission, this article explores the impacts, challenges and consequences of imprisonment for people with disability in Australia. By bringing together disability and criminological research, we highlight the impacts of subjecting people with disability to a ‘thoughtless’ and ableist prison environment, regime, and culture that simultaneously overlooks, compounds and further punishes their disability. Identifying three key areas of ‘institutional thoughtlessness’, we offer substantive insight into a group of people in prison often forgotten by researchers and policymakers.