Public Perceptions of Criminal Justice Policy: Does Victimization Make a Difference?

• NCJ Number: 125397
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1990) Pages: 109-118
• Author(s): R F Rich; R J Sampson
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines public perceptions about the criminal justice system and public attitudes toward victims. The relationship between the use of social science data and the adoption of public policy affecting crime victims is explored.

Abstract

A sample of 450 Chicago area residents answered questions about attitudes toward rape, prosecution of marital rape, plea bargaining, sentencing of predatory offenders, and the importance of rehabilitation, incapacitation, and retribution as punishment objectives. The findings indicate that age and education have the most influence on public attitudes toward criminal justice policies, while victimization status is not a significant predictor of perceptions. Social science surveys should be used more as information inputs into local and Federal decisionmaking on criminal justice policy. 4 tables, 15 references. (Author abstract modified)