A critical realist analysis of communication and engagement barriers for ‘vulnerable’ suspects in the police station

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates the utility of critical realism as an approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms which generate disablist outcomes in the police custody environment. The disabilities which we consider in this chapter are those which impact upon ability to engage with and understand criminal proceedings rather than physically limiting conditions or disabilities, and so this discussion includes mental health conditions, learning disability, neurodivergent conditions and speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). We identify some of the barriers encountered by disabled people under investigation by the police and we then go on to identify the underlying mechanisms and conditions under which these barriers are produced and reproduced. With reference to our own and other research in the field, we provide examples of each of these identified mechanisms in turn as they appear within the police custody environment, and we identify the conditions under which these emerge for disabled people have been legally identified as being ‘vulnerable’ while in contact with the police.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Disability, Crime, and Justice
EditorsStephen. J. Macdonald, Donna Peacock
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter31
ISBN (Print)9781032391731
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 3 Sept 2024

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