NCJ Number
85154
Date Published
1979
Length
94 pages
Annotation
This summary provides findings and conclusions from several surveys conducted after 1960 addressing public attitudes toward crime and its causes.
Abstract
Survey findings revealed that Americans began altering their lifestyles because of the crime problem in the early 1970's. Fear of crime has resulted in an atmosphere of tenseness and doubt. Americans tend to associate crime with young people, the poor, and nonwhites at rates far exceeding the extent possible. Lay theories suggest that a decline in the Nation's moral standards lies at the root of escalating crime rates. Many citizens object to what they perceive as an abuse of constitutional rights and privileges. Many Americans consider crime to be a byproduct of basic economic and social injustice, notably of racism. Others blame unemployment and the disintegration of the nuclear family unit for the crime problem. Americans view correctional officers, police, and probation and parole officers as being dedicated professionals, whose efforts to assist offenders are hampered by factors beyond their control. In contrast, there is a considerable amount of dissatisfaction toward the courts and judicial processes. Nevertheless, Americans are optimistic about remedial efforts to alter the status quo. Extensive survey information is appended.