NCJ Number
116391
Journal
Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (October 1987) Pages: 479-488
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reports the results of two experiments regarding the equitable allocation of punishment by the judicial system.
Abstract
Perceptions of equity depend in large degree on the relationship between judicial practice and the attitudes of the community. In these experiments the factors manipulated were the type of crime, criminal record of the offender, and three offender characteristics (age, employment status, marital status). The effect of each upon sentences recommended by subjects was observed. In the second experiment subjects were also explicitly asked whether these factors should be considered when sentencing offenders. None of the manipulated offender characteristics affected subjects' 'sentences.' The relevance of these findings for surveys that show negative community reaction to sentencing is clear, according to the authors. They state that the public appears to favor a sentencing model that excludes offender characteristics, even though Canadian case law has upheld their influence over the sentencing process. 23 references. (Author abstract modified).