H-Net Disability: "The book contributes a wealth of important insights"

Ben-Moshe raises powerful questions about the links between neoliberalism and institutions, noting, for instance, that homecare has never been as profitable as institutions that employ people, attract funding, and generate income. The author raises related points about the devaluing of women’s work in providing domestic care, and she has much to say about race relations, noting that the addition of “danger” to the list of criteria for hospitalization increased the likelihood of color becoming institutionalized. Ultimately, Decarcerating Disability concludes that simply abolishing institutions is not the solution. Instead, we need to entirely do away with the broader neoliberal discourses that support imprisonment and learn to embrace, rather than shut away, vulnerability.

This vital addition to carceral, prison, and disability studies draws important new links between deinstitutionalization and decarcerationBen-Moshe raises powerful questions about the links between neoliberalism and institutions, noting, for instance, that homecare has never been as profitable as institutions that employ people, attract funding, and generate income. The author raises related points about the devaluing of women’s work in providing domestic care, and she has much to say about race relations, noting that the addition of “danger” to the list of criteria for hospitalization increased the likelihood of color becoming institutionalized. Ultimately, Decarcerating Disability concludes that simply abolishing institutions is not the solution. Instead, we need to entirely do away with the broader neoliberal discourses that support imprisonment and learn to embrace, rather than shut away, vulnerability.

Full review at H-Net.