NCJ Number
20373
Journal
Kriminologisches Journal Issue: 3 Dated: (1976) Pages: 213-223
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC ATTITUDES BASED ON A SEVEN-ITEM INTERVIEW OF 1098 PERSONS IN WEST GERMANY.
Abstract
RECENT CHANGES IN PENITENTIARY LEGISLATION HAVE FOCUSED ON REHABILITATION AND RESOCIALIZATION OF THE PRISONER. THE OPEN FACILITY HAS BEEN INTRODUCED. EXPLICITLY, THE PRISONER CAN WORK OUTSIDE THE PRISON, AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF LEAVE HAVE BEEN INCREASED. THE AUTHORS OBSERVE THAT THESE MEASURES CAN ONLY HAVE SUCCESS IF THEY MEET WITH COOPERATION OF THE PUBLIC. ITEMS IN THE INTERVIEW INCLUDE QUESTIONS LIKE:'DOES SEVERE PUNISHMENT DECREASE CRIMINALITY? DOES IMPRISONMENT HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE PRISONER? SHOULD ONE GIVE MONEY TO A PRISONER IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS RELEASE TO BRIDGE THE FIRST PERIOD OF FREEDOM?' RESLTS OF THIS SURVEY INDICATE THAT MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS HAVE NO CONSISTENT ATTITUDES. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INTERVIEW LIES OUTSIDE THE IMAGINATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE POPULATION AT LARGE. IN THE CASE OF SPECTACULAR CRIMES, THIS MAY RESULT IN A FLAT REACTION AGAINST THE TREATMENT ORIENTED APPROACH. CONSEQUENTLY, THE AUTHORS SUGGEST CURBING THIS DYSFUNCTIONAL REACTION WITH AN INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE INFORMATION PROGRAM ON THE PROBLEMS OF OFFENDERS AND THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. --IN GERMAN