NCJ Number
182010
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 157-175
Date Published
April 2000
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to develop a scale to assess attitudes toward conditional release.
Abstract
Although some research examines attitudes toward various aspects of the judicial system (e.g., sentencing, capital punishment), there is little research focusing specifically upon attitudes toward conditional release (CR: e.g., parole). This neglect in the literature is problematic as there are both theoretical and empirical reasons to expect that such attitudes may have important implications. Specifically, correctional personnel’s CR attitudes may have an impact on subsequent legal decision making (e.g., recommendations for releasing offenders), and public attitudes toward CR may influence CR-related social policy reforms. This study attempts to develop a reliable instrument to assess attitudes toward CR and to determine whether the provision of accurate information on CR statistics depolarizes the positive/negative nature of attitudes. The study produced a 15-item reliable scale. Provision of information did not depolarize CR attitudes. The article presents findings on the overall degree of support for CR and variables that predict CR attitudes.