NCJ Number
107349
Date Published
1982
Length
182 pages
Annotation
This study reviews the role of public opinion toward crime and punishment in the setting of criminal justice policy and recommends ways that the public might have a more informed and expanded involvement in criminal justice issues.
Abstract
The report first focuses on the impact of public opinion on law and government. This is followed by a review of Australian survey data pertaining to public attitudes toward crime and imprisonment. This review notes that the courts, police, and prison officials have largely set priorities according to internal need and logic rather than in accordance with public opinion or even public interest. The report also considers public responses to a range of crimes and reports on research undertaken to examine the effect of information on public attitude toward criminal justice as expressed by a moral indignation or crime seriousness rating. The study indicates that the provision of relevant information does not provide a uniformly significant impact on public opinion about criminal justice. The report recommends reforms that will increase citizen involvement in the development and implementation of criminal justice policy. Chapter footnotes and references, appended study instruments and methodology, and 200-item bibliography.