Abolishing an “institutional archipelago” of harm. Commentary on “Breaking the cycle of harm: criminal legal systems’ impact on people with intellectual disabilities and the promise of community alternatives” (Ellem et al., 2026)

Linda Steele

doi:10.1080/23297018.2026.2702303

August 12, 2026Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abolishing an “institutional archipelago” of harm. Commentary on “Breaking the cycle of harm: criminal legal systems’ impact on people with intellectual disabilities and the promise of community alternatives” (Ellem et al., 2026)

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Key Points

Contextualize and address the systemic harms experienced by individuals with intellectual disabilities within criminal legal and institutional systems.
Critical conceptual commentary examining institutional pathways and carceral impacts on individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Characterizes the criminal legal system as an interconnected institutional network that perpetuates harm against individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Emphasizes the necessity of moving beyond punitive institutional settings toward supportive community-based alternatives.

Implication

Commentary highlights systemic harms against people with intellectual disabilities, suggesting urgent transition toward community-based alternatives.

Abstract

The need to address harm experienced by people with intellectual disabilities in settler colonial criminal legal systems remains urgent. I propose we understand this harm in a wider context of inte...

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Cite This Study

Linda Steele (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019f175c2e31742c8627b https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2026.2702303

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Abolishing an “institutional archipelago” of harm. Commentary on “Breaking the cycle of harm: criminal legal systems’ impact on people with intellectual disabilities and the promise of community alternatives” (Ellem et al., 2026)

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Abolishing an “institutional archipelago” of harm. Commentary on “Breaking the cycle of harm: criminal legal systems’ impact on people with intellectual disabilities and the promise of community alternatives” (Ellem et al., 2026)

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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