NCJ Number
182812
Journal
Caribbean Journal of Criminology and Social Psychology Volume: 4 Issue: 1/2 Dated: January/July 1999 Pages: 85-111
Date Published
1999
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the objectives and findings of public opinion polls in Trinidad and Tobago conducted between July 1994 and June 1999 to assess the public's views on crime, justice, and politics.
Abstract
Trained interviewers interviewed heads of households by telephone. The samples drawn for the surveys consisted of 327 persons in July 1994, 320 in January 1995, 335 in June 1995, 320 in June 1996, 340 in January 1997, 353 in July 1997, 344 in July 1998, and 362 in June 1999. Some of the issues for which public opinion were solicited were the death penalty for murder, rape, and drug trafficking; replacement of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal; satisfaction with the criminal justice system; perception of the crime rate; satisfaction with police performance and selected police measures; issues in juvenile delinquency; the use of corporal punishment in corrections; drug use and trafficking; crime causes; and the performance of public officials in dealing with crime. Other issues addressed in the surveys were views of the media's role in relation to crime; casino gambling; race and voting behavior; and the privatization of prisons. Findings of the surveys were disseminated to relevant officials and the general public, with the intention that the findings would encourage officials to address particular issues in the context of public views on these issues. 12 figures and 4 references