Most treatment programs, such as anger management or addiction programs, are reading- and writing-based. Therefore low literacy affects peoples' ability to participate in various programs they may need or may be required to attend. The accused could be put on probation conditional on receiving such treatment, but then not be able to access the program because of low literacy skills.

If put on probation, people with literacy problems often have trouble finding the conditions in their Probation Orders, which can result in breaches and further charges.

Barriers for Victims and Witnesses

Many of the same barriers to understanding for the accused exist for victims and witnesses as well. However, two points in the process are particularly challenging for victims and witnesses.

"A young teenager of 13 lining at home suffered from someone peeping through the window [...] a Peeping Tom. She made a statement to the police and some time later received a Subpoena saying 'You are commanded in the name of her Majesty to appear in court at a certain time to give evidence against the accused. She could read and could recognize that this was an important document, but still she was concerned and came to me to ask what is a Subpoena?

I read it and wondered 'Whose side do they think she's on?' It read as if she were the criminal. But what if she could not read? Then she could become a criminal, someone who can be arrested for not coming to court at the required time, and she was the victim in this case."
- Phil Knight, Legal Language Specialist