NCJ Number
53323
Date Published
1975
Length
141 pages
Annotation
METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS ARE REPORTED FROM A SURVEY OF PUBLIC OPINION TOWARD CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES AND TOWARD THE MAJOR PERSONNEL CATEGORIES OR FUNCTIONAL AGENCIES WHICH OPERATE IN THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED AS PART OF PROJECT STAR (A FOUR-STATE STUDY INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL), WAS BASED ON PERSONAL INTERVIEWS OF A CROSS-SECTION SAMPLE OF 749 MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS GENERAL PUBLIC, AGED 18 AND OLDER. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ADAPTED FROM THE STUDY OF CALIFORNIA OPINION MADE IN JANUARY OF 1972. IN ADDITION TO THE PRINTED QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETED BY PERSONAL INTERVIEW, A SELF-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRE BOOKLET WAS FILLED OUT BY EACH RESPONDENT. A SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS IS AS FOLLOWS: (1) A RANKING OF THE MOST PRESSING COMMUNITY PROBLEMS SHOWS THAT PROTECTION FROM BURGLARY AND CRIMINAL VIOLENCE IS FIRST, FOLLOWED BY HEALTH AND EDUCATION SERVICES; (2) ABOUT 1 IN 3 TEXANS (34 PERCENT) CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY SOME CRIMINAL ACT DURING THE PAST YEAR; (3) A MAJORITY OF THE TEXAS PUBLIC FEELS THAT REHABILITATION, NOT PUNISHMENT, SHOULD BE THE GOAL OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN APPARENT DISSATISFACTION WITH THE EXISTING REHABILITATION SYSTEM); (4) RESPONDENTS ARE HIGHLY FAVORABLE TOWARD THE JOB BEING DONE BY POLICE, WITH THE YOUNG, THE POOR, AND BLACKS BEING MOST CRITICAL OF POLICE PERFORMANCE; (5) RESPONDENTS ARE FAVORABLE TOWARD JUDGES, ALTHOUGH IT WAS FELT THAT JUDGES TEND TO GIVE GREATER WEIGHT TO POLICE TESTIMONY THAN TO THAT OF THE DEFENDANT; (6) YOUTH ARE MORE OFTEN CRITICAL OF PROSECUTORS AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS THAN ARE ADULTS; (7) RESPONDENTS FEEL THAT PROSECUTORS ARE TOO LENIENT IN THEIR PROSECUTION OF FREQUENT OFFENSES; (8) THE PUBLIC PERCEIVES THAT PROBATION OFFICERS ARE OFTEN TOO QUICK TO RECOMMEND REVOCATION OF PROBATION; AND (9) PAROLE OFFICERS ARE CRITICIZED FOR BEING TOO READY TO REVOKE PAROLES. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED, AND THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN DISCUSSION OF THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLES OF INTERVIEW SCHEDULES. (RCB)