NCJ Number
199900
Date Published
2002
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses findings from a deliberative poll in England on crime and punishment.
Abstract
Deliberative polls are used as a means of identifying the attitudes and policy preferences that the general population would hold if they had the time and energy to inform themselves properly about the issues. They involve assembling a large nationally or locally representative group of participants that are briefed by experts about the topic under consideration. Before and after the group discussions, their attitudes are measured. The 1994 deliberative poll on crime involved 297 people. Attitudes before the deliberative poll event were quite eclectic views on crime control, ranging from teaching children right and wrong, to more police on the beat. Views about sentencing were tough-minded and called for harsher sentences. Age, education, and location emerged as strongly linked to attitudes. After the event, people’s views shifted in a more liberal and less punitive direction on many, but not all, measures. There seemed to be a shift away from support for tough sentencing, preventive patrol, and situational prevention, as exemplified by improved security and neighborhood watch. There was significantly less support for sending people to prison and for heavier sentences. There was more support for reserving custody only for high-risk offenders. The findings suggest that public attitudes to punishment are malleable given more education on the issues. 6 tables, 8 notes, 9 references