NCJ Number
207452
Date Published
March 2002
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper presents findings from a public-opinion research project offering insight on how Americans in different demographic groups think about prisoner reentry.
Abstract
The availability of public opinion research on crime and punishment is considerable. However, public opinion research in the area of prisoner reentry is virtually non-existent. To change this trend, the Urban Institute requested Public Agenda, a nonprofit organization on public opinion research to conduct a public-opinion research study on prisoner reentry. The study consisted of three focus groups, reflecting different population segments in the Philadelphia area: (1) residents of the Philadelphia suburb of Bensalem; (2) residents of Philadelphia’s inner city, primarily from West Philadelphia; and (3) affluent Philadelphia residents. The topics focused on during all three sessions included: (1) public awareness of prisoner reentry issues; (2) perceptions of what happens to prisoners after release; (3) potential public support for programs to aid in transitioning prisoners to society; (4) reactions to barriers to employment, housing, and voting faced by former prisoners; (5) potential concerns and conflicts about reentry programs; and (6) future directions for research. Based on these focus groups, prisoner reentry is an issue that people rarely raise spontaneously. However, the issue of prisoner reentry is one that most seemed to understand readily once it was introduced. Study highlights include: (1) most respondents reacted favorably to helping former prisoners get back on track; (2) there were pronounced differences between the views expressed by suburban respondents and other groups; (3) concern was voiced about fairness to those who had not violated the law; and (4) little support was given for taking money from other social programs and directing to providing better programs for prisoner reentry. Recommendations for future focus groups are presented and discussed.