NCJ Number
101461
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The British public would probably support the introduction of weekend prison sentences, although it would probably also be more in favor of diversionary measures that do not have the major theoretical and practical disadvantages of intermittent custody.
Abstract
Politicians' expectations of public opinion probably have much more influence on penal policy than does public opinion itself. In fact, public opinion has not been sought, monitored, or used in any consistent manner. As a result, little is actually known about public attitudes toward crime and the treatment of offenders. The Home Office Survey of 1966 and the 1982 opinion poll have given some indications of public opinion and show both ambiguous and contradictory attitudes. The public knows little about the penal system, but generally favors community service or victim compensation by offenders to reduce the prison population. The general public is unlikely to object to the concept of part-time prison, although individual programs are likely to encounter opposition from nearby residents. A discussion of this conference presentation focuses on issues of defining and testing public opinion. 15 reference notes.