Screen Readers Skip to Content
🖶 Print page

33% of Prisoners Reported a Disability in 2011 - 2012

NOTE: This article is over 3 years old and may not reflect current information, despite the page being updated. It may still be useful for research but should be verified for accuracy and relevance.

Published: 2015-12-15 - Updated: 2020-03-17
Author: Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs | Contact: www.ojp.usdoj.gov
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library of Related Papers: Disability Statistics Publications

Synopsis: Estimates of disabilities include six specific classifications: hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care and independent living. A cognitive disability - defined as serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions - was the most common disability reported by prison and jail inmates. An ambulatory disability was the second most common reported disability, with 10 percent of each population reporting difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

advertisements

Main Digest

An estimated 32 percent of state and federal prisoners and 40 percent of local jail inmates reported having at least one disability in the 2011-12 National Inmate Survey, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today.

Related Publications:

Estimates of disabilities include six specific classifications: hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care and independent living.

(Article continues below image.)

Silhouette illustration of a person behind prison bars.
Silhouette illustration of a person behind prison bars.
(Continued...)

Prisoners were about three times more likely and jail inmates were about four times more likely than the general population (standardized to match the prison and jail populations by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin) to report a disability.

Other Findings Include

Similar Articles of Interest:

Estimates are based on self-reported data from 10 percent of the inmates selected in the BJS 2011-12 National Inmate Survey. A total of 10,259 inmates age 18 or older (4,265 inmates in state and federal prison and 5,994 inmates in jail) completed the disability module.

The report, Disabilities Among Prison and Jail Inmates, 2011-12 (NCJ 249151), was written by Jennifer Bronson and Laura M. Maruschak of BJS, and Marcus Berzofsky of RTI International. The report, related documents and additional information about BJS statistical publications and programs can be found on the BJS website at www.bjs.gov

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed article relating to our disability statistics section was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "33% of Prisoners Reported a Disability in 2011 - 2012" was originally written by Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Should you require further information or clarification, they can be contacted at www.ojp.usdoj.gov Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

Tweet This Add to Facebook Post to Reddit
advertisements

Disabled World is an independent disability community established in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative news, reviews, sports, stories and how-tos. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more on our about us page.

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.


Cite This Page (APA): Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. (2015, December 15). 33% of Prisoners Reported a Disability in 2011 - 2012. Disabled World. Retrieved May 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/prison-survey.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/prison-survey.php">33% of Prisoners Reported a Disability in 2011 - 2012</a>