NCJ Number
130000
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 220-235
Date Published
1989
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the attitudes of Indiana State legislators toward policies to reduce the serious prison overcrowding in the State.
Abstract
Information was gathered through mail surveys of all members of the Indiana General Assembly in the fall of 1986. Eight-five legislators responded, for a total of 59 percent of the General Assembly, producing 74 usable responses. No significant differences were found between respondents and the legislative membership as a whole in terms of sex, occupation, urbanicity, criminal justice committee membership, tenure in office, political party, or legislative house. The survey gathered information on 70 issues, including perceptions of crime, political and constituent characteristics, criminal justice experience, crime causation, crime control, incarceration, rehabilitation, and juvenile justice. Results revealed a high level of legislative support for the expansion of community corrections and prison construction, but little support for a return to shorter sentences. Regression analysis indicated that criminal justice ideology was most strongly associated with attitudes toward prison policy. Tables, notes, 49 references, and appended additional results