NCJ Number
150771
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 72-80
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Data for this national opinion survey were collected exclusively from Hispanic Americans to assess their perceptions of crime and education.
Abstract
Most of the 1,201 survey respondents were Mexican American, between 25 and 44 years of age, and employed full- time; 31 percent had graduated from high school, 16 percent had graduated from college, and 25 percent had no high school education at all. Respondents were allowed to answer survey questions in either Spanish or English, and most chose to respond in Spanish. The majority of respondents lived in households with three or fewer adults. They identified the following problems, in order of priority, as being important in their communities: crime, gangs, drugs, unemployment, education, economy, racism, and health care. Perceptions of crime seriousness were relatively constant across all age groups. Respondents ranked high school dropouts as the most serious problem in schools, followed by drug use and violence. Respondents also felt that the involvement of Hispanic youth in gang activities was a serious problem and that more employment opportunities would deter youth gangs. The survey revealed a significant degree of stability among respondents regardless of age, gender, education, place of birth, origin, or employment. 12 references and 12 tables