NCJ Number
130621
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 92,94-95
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Recent research indicates that most citizens favor community-based sanctions over prison for offenders if they are assured that these programs will be well-managed and will hold offenders accountable.
Abstract
In a study by the American Justice Institute, six major metropolitan areas in California were sampled; approximately 65 percent of each year's prison intake comes from these regions. One thousand adults agreed to accept questionnaires that solicited opinions on key correctional issues. Results showed that, given a choice between prison and probation for 25 vignettes of various crimes that ranged from petty theft to armed robbery to rape, 63 percent of the respondents selected prison as the better option. The respondents were then asked to read brief descriptions of a number of community-based programs such as intensive supervision, restitution centers, drug treatment, social service orders, and boot camp incarceration. They were also given estimates of the relative effectiveness and costs of the program. They were then asked to review the 25 cases and decide what should be done with the offenders; only 27 percent chose to send the offenders to prison. Other similar U.S. public surveys have revealed similar public attitudes. The public does support effective surveillance and treatment of most offenders in the community, so long as such programs hold offenders accountable for their offenses and prevent recidivism. 44 references