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Partners in JusticeBridging the Gap Between the Justice System and People with Cognitive DisabilitiesEvery day, the criminal justice system is challenged to balance individual rights and public safety. Faced with making difficult decisions on short notice, law enforcement personnel rely on tried and tested protocols as well as their own common sense and a system of beliefs about human behavior. When people with cognitive impairments such as mental retardation or autism interact with the criminal justice system, elements of their disabilities brush against these protocols and beliefs, resulting in serious misunderstanding and sometimes tragedy. The goals of public safety and fairness can both be compromised. The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities recognized a need for sharing information between the criminal justice and human services systems, and, therefore, funded the Partners in Justice Project through The Arc of North Carolina. The goal of the project is to improve the outcome for people with disabilities when they interact with the criminal justice system. In recent years, the number of people with mental retardation and other cognitive disabilities who live in their communities has increased dramatically, and the philosophy is that the least restrictive living environment is almost exclusively in their own home or with their own family. Although most people with cognitive disabilities are productive, law abiding citizens, some may become involved with the criminal justice system as offenders. Also, an alarming number of people with cognitive disabilities are victims of crime or witnesses to crimes against others. Partners in Justice provides information and training to:
The project recently convened a Juvenile Justice Committee that is developing educational and training materials on the juvenile justice system. Materials will be developed for the audiences described above on juveniles with disabilities who become involved with the justice system. Partners in Justice has developed a network of trainers across the state who can provide information and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies, attorneys, consumers and their families, and human service workers. Project staff are available free of charge to provide training in local communities and to provide instruction and training materials to individuals who wish to become trainers. For more information, contact: Marian Hartman- 919-234-9268 or MarianHartman@nc.rr.com; or Ann Elmore-919-772-7803 or Ann-Elmore@nc.rr.com .
Partners in Justice presents: "Building Bridges, Changing Lives" February 10, 2006, Durham Hilton, Durham, NC Every day, the criminal justice system is challenged to balance individual rights and public safety. When people with intellectual disabilities such as mental retardation, autism or traumatic brain injury interface with the criminal justice system, elements of their disabilities can result in serious misunderstanding and sometimes tragedy. The goals of public safety and fairness can both be compromised. This conference will address the issue of people with intellectual disabilities who become involved with the criminal justice system, and will provide information from nationally recognized experts on identifying and effectively working with people with intellectual disabilities. Sessions are designed for law enforcement officers, magistrates, judges, attorneys, corrections officers, community corrections officers, human services professionals and advocates. For more information, contact Partners in Justice, The Arc of NC, 919-782-4632 or email Marian Hartman or email Ann-Elmore |