NCJ Number
163393
Journal
Journal of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium Volume: 2 Dated: (August 1995) Pages: 4-29
Date Published
1995
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Methodology and findings are presented for a survey designed to determine the views of residents of Oklahoma about crime and corrections policy in that State.
Abstract
Based on focus groups' results, hypotheses were developed for testing in a telephone survey. Telephone interviews were conducted with 414 Oklahoma adults, age 18 or older, reflecting a cross section of the State's population in August 1995. Interviews lasted an average of 25 minutes, and respondents were asked to assess crime and corrections policy and whether the State should make greater use of community-based sanctions or alternative sentences. This article summarizes results and presents data on the following topics: perceptions about crime in Oklahoma, beliefs about the causes of crime, assessment of the criminal justice system, why Oklahomans were discontented with the criminal justice system, views about possible changes in corrections policy, views about possible changes in the law, and whether to make greater use of alternative sentences or intermediate sanctions. In the latter case, by a large majority Oklahomans wanted to make much greater use of alternative sentences for a great many nonviolent offenders instead of sending them to prison. 43 tables