NCJ Number
17251
Date Published
1972
Length
99 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF A STUDY DESIGNED TO MEASURE THE ATTITUDES OF THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA TOWARD CRIME IN ORDER TO ASSIST AGENCIES IN ASSESSING PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICIES IN EFFECT OR UNDER CONSIDERATION.
Abstract
A HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WAS UTILIZED TO MEASURE THE FREQUENCY OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION, THE REPORTING OF CRIME BY ALLEGED VICTIMS, PUBLIC CONTACT WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND THE ATTITUDES OF THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE TOWARD THESE AGENCIES. THE DATA FOR THIS SURVEY WAS OBTAINED FROM 1,145 RESPONDENTS FROM THE ADULT, NON-INSTUTUTIONALIZED POPULATION OF THE STATE. A PROBABILITY, HOUSEHOLD SAMPLE WAS SELECTED BY STRATIFICATION AND CLUSTER PROCEDURES. EACH RESPONDENT WAS INTERVIEWED TO ASCERTAIN ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ACTIVITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO DETERMINE IF ANY MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD HAD BEEN A VICTIM OF ANY CRIME. AN INTENSIVE INTERVIEW WAS THEN CONDUCTED TO PROBE THE NATURE OF THE VICTIMIZATION AND THE REPORTING OF IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. CITIZEN RESPONSES TO THE SURVEY ARE HIGHLIGHTED THROUGHOUT THIS REPORT. SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED A HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND COURTS AND LOW LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR JAILS AND PRISONS. OVER 30 PERCENT OF THE SAMPLE FELT THAT COURTS OR POLICE TREAT SOME GROUPS UNFAIRLY. HOWEVER, IN ADDITION, NORTH CAROLINA CITIZENS GENERALLY CONSIDERED CRIME A SERIOUS PROBELM, AND ALMOST HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLD SAMPLES HAD BEEN VICTIMIZED IN SOME MANNER. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS EXPLANATIONS OF THE SAMPLE PROCUEDURE AND THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, AS WELL AS A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)