NCJ Number
181362
Date Published
1998
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A telephone survey conducted in California during May 5-12, 1996 gathered information on public attitudes toward violent juvenile crime.
Abstract
The statewide survey contained 25 questions and reached 1,000 registered voters who stated that they were likely to vote in the November 1996 general election. A follow-up survey on June 5, 1996, posed two supplemental questions to voters about the funding of a State office of violence prevention. Responses were considered accurate within a statistical tolerance of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Most California voters said they do not believe that more juvenile incarceration will lead to reductions in violent juvenile crime. The survey revealed strong voter support for public investment in violence prevention and youth treatment programs. Findings suggested that juvenile violence prevention efforts must focus firmly on families; that the public supports the use of schools for after-school activities; and that children of all ages, including older adolescents, can benefit from positive intervention. Findings also suggested that accountability and discipline are important components of programs for children who have already been in contact with the justice system, that responsibility for solving the problem of youth violence rests largely with the family and the local community, and that voters are willing to invest tax dollars in effective youth violence prevention programs. Figures and note