NCJ Number
80381
Date Published
1981
Length
43 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from a 1981 survey that examined the attitudes and opinions of a sample of Texas residents about criminal justice issues in that State.
Abstract
This sixth in a series of regularly scheduled surveys mailed questionnaires to a selected random probability sample of 2,000 Texas residents. The adjusted return rate was 76.3 percent. Of the usable returns, 77.8 percent of the respondents were white; 7.2 percent were black; 13.6 percent were Spanish-surnamed; and 1.2 percent were of other ethnic origins. It is reasonable to assume that the results can be generalized to the general population of Texas. Fifty-one percent of the respondents believed that punishment was either the most or second most important function of prisons, while 85 percent favored the death penalty for at least one type of crime. About two-thirds selected at least one type of crime which might be committed against them during the next year; 40 percent reported they kept guns in their homes for security. About three-fourths felt the courts are too easy on convicted persons. Over three-fifths supported conjugal visits for inmates in prisons, and the majority favored the placement of new prisons in rural areas. Opinions on having a Texas law that permits a wife to accuse her husband of rape were about evenly divided between pros, cons, and undecided. About 90 percent reported having used alcohol at least once, and 73 percent had used it during the past year. Twenty-eight percent had tried marijuana. Almost half believed marijuana to be worse for the user than alcohol. Percentages of survey respondents favoring laws against public intoxication, marijuana use, prostitution, homosexuality, abortion, attempted suicide, and gambling are given. Tabular data are provided. (Author summary modified)