NCJ Number
28945
Date Published
1974
Length
94 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A JULY, 1974 PERSONAL INTERVIEW SURVEY OF 1,000 MARYLAND RESIDENTS 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, IN WHICH INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS WAS SOLICITED.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY, WHICH WAS SUPPORTED UNDER A SPECIAL PLANNING GRANT, WAS TO ASSIST THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION IN FORMULATING OVERALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR THE STATE, GETTING PUBLIC REACTION TO THOSE PLANS AND EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF THOSE PLANS. THE POPULATION SAMPLE USED FOR THIS STUDY WAS DRAWN ON A MODIFIED AREA PROBABILITY BASIS FROM 1970 CENSUS DATA. THE QUESTIONNAIRE INCLUDED 159 CLOSED-END QUESTIONS AND 8 OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS. SURVEY FINDINGS ARE SUMMARIZED FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: GENERAL CATEGORIES SUCH AS PROBLEMS OF CONCERN, BUDGET MODIFICATION PRIORITIES, FEAR OF CRIME, AND PERFORMANCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES; POLICE ISSUES SUCH AS POLICE PRIORITIES, ORGANIZED CRIME, POLICE CONSOLIDATION, AND ATTITUDES OF THE SHERIFF; AND COURT-RELATED ISSUES SUCH AS JUDGES, PLEA BARGAINING, COURT REORGANIZATION, AND TRIAL PROBLEMS. ATTITUDES ON COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, THE PRISON SYSTEM, CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING, CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA ARE ALSO SUMMARIZED.