NCJ Number
227190
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 209-235
Date Published
June 2009
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This research study explored how Florida legislators considered crime causation, crime control, and support for rehabilitation when deciding on corrections and sentencing policy.
Abstract
The results suggest that Florida legislators had complex views about criminal justice issues, supporting both imprisonment and rehabilitation as a response to crime. Although this study sample recognized some social and psychological causes of crime, they were more likely to attribute crime to rational thinking and learning principles. Despite prevailing punitive attitudes, the Florida sample showed concern for reform and rehabilitation. The overall findings suggest that legislators in Florida support imprisonment, as well as rehabilitation, believe in using policy to control inmate behavior, and hesitate to alter public policy toward more leniency even if public fear decreases. Crime and sentencing are key issues confronting policymakers. Overcrowding and escalating corrections budgets have brought increased public attention on the criminal justice system. In light of this increased focus, it was important to examine what issues concern policymakers in corrections and sentencing policy decisions. This research study offered a descriptive look at how a sample of Florida State legislators viewed issues in corrections and sentencing. Specifically, the study offers insight into legislator opinion of crime salience, crime causation, goals of the correctional system, support for rehabilitation and imprisonment, sentencing, and prison conditions. It also examined whether legislators considered inmate behavior and public fear when making decisions about correctional policy. Tables, notes, and references