Bill Seeks Accommodations For People With Disabilities In Jail

Going to jail is scary for anyone. But for a person with a developmental disability the new, unfamiliar surroundings can have dire consequences. Now, legislation proposed in Washington state would ease the process of incarceration for individuals identified as having developmental disabilities.

The proposal comes after a man in Washington experienced brain damage after declining food and water while held in solitary confinement. The man, advocates say, did not understand what was happening to him.

The bill would require “reasonable accommodations” for people with developmental disabilities including the continuation of medical services while they are incarcerated and a transition program to help them when they’re released, reports the (Kennewick, Wash.) Tri-City Herald.