Punitiveness, Fear of Crime, and Perceptions of Violence

• NCJ Number: 119956
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Sociology Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (1987) Pages: 331-344
• Author(s): R A Wanner; T C Caputo
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Alberta Law Foundation; John Howard Soc of Calgary
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: Revised version of a paper presented at the Conference on Violence in Contemporary Canadian Society, Ottawa, Canada, June 1986.

Annotation

A multivariate model to account for attitudes of punitiveness toward offenders was developed and tested.

Abstract

The only factor that had a significant effect on the degree of punitiveness favored by the respondents was the degree of violence of the crime. However, in general, those more knowledgeable about the prevalence of violent crime in Canada tended to favor less severe sentences for offenders. While these same individuals were less fearful about violent crime, this did not necessarily translate into less punitive attitudes. Respondents attributed a higher level of harm to violent acts, than to property crimes, which seemed to contribute to their attitudes of more severe punitiveness for violent crimes. (Author abstract modified)