Disability Royal Commission Public Hearing 11—Experiences with the Criminal Justice System (16 to 23 February 2021)

The Disability Royal Commission’s public hearing into the experiences of people with cognitive disability in the Criminal Justice system starts next week from 16 February to 25 February.

The hearing in Brisbane will be closed to the public, but will be live streamed on the DRC’s website. View the list of witnesses appearing

The scope and purpose of the hearing is to inquire into:

• The factors contributing to people with cognitive disability first coming into contact with the criminal justice system.
• How and why people with cognitive disability cycle in and out of the criminal justice system.
• How the criminal justice system can, and often does, criminalise disability.
• The overrepresentation of First Nations people with cognitive impairment within the criminal justice system, and any differences in their experience.
• The long term and indefinite incarceration of people with cognitive impairment under forensic custody orders .
• The impact that appropriate diversion from the criminal justice system, and the provision of appropriate supports to people with disability, can have in reducing contact with the criminal justice system and in moving away from the criminalisation of disability.