NCJ Number
227043
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2009 Pages: 131-147
Date Published
May 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study compared Indian and U.S. college students’ attitudes toward crime, criminals, punishment, and treatment.
Abstract
The study’s two major findings were that Indian and U.S. college students differed significantly in their views on these issues, and there were complexities in views among both groups. On all but 2 of the 15 items in the survey, there was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. U.S. respondents were more likely to believe that there was a great deal of crime in their country, which accurately reflected the difference in reported crime for the two countries; however, Indian students were more likely to view crime as a serious social problem compared with U.S. students. Indian students were more likely than American students to view the courts as not being sufficiently harsh with criminals. This difference may reflect India’s higher acquittal rate and lower conviction rate. Indian students were also more likely to feel that criminals should undergo punishment; however, ambiguity was reflected in their greater tendency to show mercy and support for offender rehabilitation as well as less support for capital punishment. This ambiguity may be resolved by Indian students’ view that punishment is a mechanism of rehabilitation, behavioral change, and deterrence. Within both groups, there was not a consensus view on crime, criminals, punishment, and treatment; however, there was less uncertainty in views among Indian students compared to American students. The survey was conducted in 2005 with convenience samples of students at one Indian university and one U.S. university. A total of 434 usable surveys were returned by Indian students, and 484 usable surveys were returned by U.S. students. There were more men in the Indian group than the U.S. group (57 percent compared to 44 percent). 2 tables and 42 references