NCJ Number
113462
Date Published
1986
Length
45 pages
Annotation
A mail questionnaire survey was conducted of New York State legislators to examine their attitudes toward crime causation, severity, and control issues and to examine their support of several specific criminal justice policies.
Abstract
Of 211 legislators, 105 returned useable responses. Overall, legislators' views were diverse, complex, and multidimensional. A majority of respondents viewed crime as the result of a breakdown of discipline in society, but they also viewed crime as a product of failings in the social structure. A majority agreed that reestablishing traditional values and expanding social programs provide ways to reduce crime. On goals of imprisonment, 87 percent agreed with a deserts rationale, 79 percent with an incapacitation rationale, and 60 to 63 percent with a deterrence rationale. Despite support for long sentences, 57 percent felt community corrections should be expanded, while 43 percent felt rehabilitation doesn't work, and 59 percent agreed that criminals should not be viewed as victims of society, yet 58 percent felt that rehabilitation was as important as punishment. With respect to juveniles, 92 percent agreed with rehabilitative goals, two-thirds advocated diversion, and 63 percent felt violent juvenile offenders should be subject to adult penalties. A majority of legislators favored capital punishment, expansion of the prison system, and greater use of community alternatives over institutionalization. Lawmakers were divided on support for gun control and determinate sentences. Survey form, 10 tables, and 8 references.