NCJ Number
101385
Date Published
1985
Length
216 pages
Annotation
This 1985 report examines public and professional attitudes toward and awareness of current parole practices and related issues, such as sentencing decisions, prison overcrowding, and alternatives to prison.
Abstract
Study findings are based on a survey of over 1,000 members of the general public and a cross section of approximately 300 judges, lawyers, and parole officials. A majority of Americans, including judges, lawyers, and paroling authorities, favor a reorganization of the parole system. All groups, however, want some system to supervise an ex-inmate's return to society. The public agrees with judges and lawyers that parole board review is useful< in deterring crime and controlling for sentencing disparities. There is broad support for tough sentences for violent criminals and the building of more prisons to accommodate them. Support for harsh sentencing, however, does not preclude support for humane prison conditions and limited flexibility in sentencing. The public is willing to pay for prison improvements and advocates alternatives to imprisonment for certain offenders. Although discouraged with current criminal justice practices, the public wants rehabilitation opportunities made available to all offenders. The appendix contains relevant Bureau of Justice Statistics reports. Tabular data and 59-item bibliography.