Purpose Drawing on multi-method research conducted in 2013-2014, the purpose of this paper is to consider the extent and nature of disadvantage experienced by individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities (PID) who come into contact with the criminal justice system in Zambia. The research was conducted as part of a wider project aiming to bring about improvements in how people with PID are dealt with by the criminal justice services. Design/methodology/approach The research activities included interviews with 29 individuals with PID who had experienced the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or prisoners (“self-advocates”). A focus group and interviews were also conducted with the family members of people with PID who had criminal justice experience. Findings People with PID in contact with the criminal justice services in Zambia are disadvantaged and discriminated against routinely and systematically. Like all detainees, they experience harsh and at times brutal conditions of detention. However, because of their disabilities, such experiences can be more keenly felt: their disabilities may be exacerbated by detention or by limited or non-existent health care; and they are likely to be less resourceful than other detainees and, therefore, less able to cope with the privations of detention. Originality/value In drawing on the self-advocate interviews, this paper presents direct, vivid accounts of what it means to be a suspect, defendant or prisoner with disabilities in Zambia. These are extremely marginalised and multiply disadvantaged individuals whose voices are rarely heard.

中文翻译：

---

赞比亚的残疾与刑事司法系统

目的本文基于2013年至2014年进行的多方法研究，目的是考虑与赞比亚刑事司法系统接触的具有社会心理和智力残疾（PID）的个人所遭受的不利条件的程度和性质。这项研究是一个更广泛项目的一部分，旨在改善刑事司法部门如何处理PID患者。设计/方法/方法研究活动包括采访29名PID犯罪者，他们曾作为犯罪嫌疑人，被告或囚犯（“自我辩护人”）经历过刑事司法系统。还与具有刑事司法经验的PID患者的家庭成员进行了焦点小组访谈。调查结果与赞比亚刑事司法部门有联系的PID人员处于不利地位，并且受到常规和系统的歧视。像所有被拘留者一样，他们经历着严酷的甚至有时是残酷的拘留条件。但是，由于他们的残疾，可以更敏锐地感受到这种经历：拘留，有限的或根本不存在的医疗保健可能会加剧他们的残疾；他们可能比其他被拘留者没有足够的资源，因此，他们应对拘留的能力也较弱。独创性/价值借助自我倡导的访谈，本文直接而生动地阐述了成为赞比亚残疾人，犯罪嫌疑人，被告或囚犯的含义。这些人被极端边缘化并且处境不利，他们的声音很少被听到。