NCJ Number
25954
Date Published
1974
Length
27 pages
Annotation
PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEYS ON CRIME AND THE PURPOSE OF CORRECTIONS TAKEN IN 1973 WERE COMPARED WITH SIMILAR SURVEYS TAKEN AFTER PRISON RIOTS OCCURRED AT BATHURST AND GOULBURN (AUSTRALIA).
Abstract
THE SECOND SURVEY SAW A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER WHO SAID THAT THE ESSENTIAL TASK OF THE PRISON IS TO CULTIVATE THOSE POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES WHICH THEY BELIEVE ALL INMATES POSSESS TO SOME DEGREE (1973: 16.0 PER CENT; 1974: 21.0 PER CENT). MORE THAN HALF THE RESPONDENTS WHO EXPRESSED THIS VIEW ADDED THE RIDER THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SEPARATE THE LESS EXPERIENCED OFFENDERS FROM HARDENED CRIMINALS. SINCE THIS OPINION HARDLY RATED A MENTION IN THE 1973 STUDY, IT MAY REFLECT THE INTIMIDATORY ROLE ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN PLAYED BY 'HARDENED CRIMINALS' IN THE RIOTS. IN TWO OTHER RESPECTS, THE 1974 RESULTS WERE IDENTICAL WITH THOSE OBTAINED THE PREVIOUS YEAR: ONE IN SIX OF THOSE WHO PREFERRED THAT PRISONS SHOULD PLAY A CORRECTIONAL ROLE CLAIMED THAT NOT EVERY INMATE IS A 'REAL' CRIMINAL; AND ONE IN TEN AGAIN BASED HIS ARGUMENT ON THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL PRISONER RATHER THAN THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY OR THE INDIVIDUAL'S CAPACITY FOR CHANGE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)