NCJ Number
206070
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2004 Pages: 115-144
Editor(s)
Michael S. Vaughn
Date Published
2004
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This article examines factors that could affect a community of a new prison, specifically the impact on how the new prison would affect property values, the economy, and the cost of living.
Abstract
In response to the burgeoning population of inmates in recent decades, prison construction has exhibited remarkable growth. With respect to this growth in prison construction, the issues related to prison siting have risen tremendously. However, there is little empirical evidence concerning the impact of new prisons on host communities. The intent of this article is to assess the perceptions of county residents concerning the potential community impact of a soon-to-be-opened correctional facility for juveniles convicted and sentenced as adults. It examines the relative influence of a variety of factors in determining resident expectations about future property values, the economy, and the cost of living. The predictors used were demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, proximity to the new prison, knowledge about the prison, beliefs about inmate visitors coming into the local community, and expectations about future crime and safety. Data were collected in 1998 during prison construction and prior to the opening of a prison for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PDC). A Community Attitude Survey (CAS) was used focusing on four types of data: personal/demographic variables, awareness of and knowledge about the institution, concerns about crime and safety, and perceptions about economic impact and quality of life. The results indicate support for previous findings concerning the influence of proximity and several demographic variables on resident perceptions. In addition, opposition runs highest in the immediate area of a proposed facility and declines considerably with diminished proximity, as well as strong and consistent effects of beliefs about prison inmate visitors and expectations about future crime and safety. References