NCJ Number
97102
Editor(s)
J J Knowles
Date Published
1980
Length
48 pages
Annotation
Ohio citizens' attitudes toward crime, law enforcement, the court, prisons, juvenile justice, crime prevention, and legislative issues are presented, based on a 1980 survey of 848 randomly selected persons.
Abstract
This is the second in a series of studies on Ohioans' attitudes about crime and criminal justice in the State. Ohioans had a relatively low fear of crime, although blacks, women, and former crime victims had heightened fear levels. Citizens overwhelmingly regarded crime as something which happens outside their own neighborhoods, however. There was strong support for government spending for criminal justice. Ohioans also exhibited positive attitudes about both State and local law enforcement. However, respondents were apparently confused and misinformed about the courts. Newspapers were the primary source of information about the courts. Citizens generally agreed on the need for new prisons, although views varied on how to pay for them. However, respondents opposed even a temporary Federal court takeover of the State prison system as a solution to the overcrowding problem. Personal variables apparently affected responses on juvenile justice issues. Few had become involved in crime prevention programs, but many had taken individual security measures. A majority supported capital punishment, and a plurality favored stiffer penalties for marijuana usage; whereas, more tolerant attitudes were found regarding prostitution and sports betting. Figures, tables, footnotes, a description of the study methodology, and a list of other publications of the Statistical Analysis Center are supplied.