Prison Crowding: Public Attitudes Toward Strategies of Population Control

• NCJ Number: 120292
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1988) Pages: 150-169
• Author(s): S E Skovron; J E Scott; F T Cullen
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the annual meeting of the Law and Society Association, Washington, DC, June 11-14, 1987.

Annotation

This research explores public attitudes towards policies designed to reduce prison crowding.

Abstract

Telephone surveys of adult residents of two midwestern cities were used to accumulate the data. The results showed substantial public support for community-based corrections and incentive good time. Shortening sentences and increasing parole board authority showed high levels of public disapproval, while moderate support was given to building new prisons. Two important issues to be examined are how informed the public is on issues concerning prison crowding, and the manner in which policymakers use or respond to public opinion. 4 Tables, 6 Notes, 46 References. (Author abstract modified)