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The place of public fear in sentencing and correctional policy

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  • Cook, Carrie L.
  • Lane, Jodi

Abstract

Public opinion about sentencing and correctional issues has emerged in recent decades as a salient topic in criminology. Empirical studies have suggested that the public has dynamic perceptions about these criminal justice issues. Sentencing and correctional policy have become key issues confronting legislators and policymakers, as correctional budgets and public interest in these areas have increased. Despite the focus on public opinion about sentencing and corrections, previous research has largely ignored how the public feels about the role of policymakers regarding these issues, and what influences opinions about whether public fear should be an important consideration in policy decisions. The current study partly replicated the work of Cullen and colleagues by examining perceptions of crime salience, crime causation, goals of the criminal justice system, and attitudes towards imprisonment and rehabilitation. It uniquely examined perceptions about the importance of legislator consideration of a specific determinant, namely, public fear, in decision making about sentencing and correctional policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Cook, Carrie L. & Lane, Jodi, 2009. "The place of public fear in sentencing and correctional policy," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 586-595, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:37:y::i:6:p:586-595
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stolz, Barbara Ann, 1985. "Congress and criminal justice policy making: The impact of interest groups and symbolic politics," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 307-319.
    2. Selke, William L., 1980. "The impact of higher education on crime orientations," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 175-184.
    3. Crank, John P. & Giacomazzi, Andrew & Heck, Cary, 2003. "Fear of crime in a nonurban setting," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 249-263.
    4. Applegate, Brandon K. & Cullen, Francis T. & Fisher, Bonnie S., 2002. "Public views toward crime and correctional policies: Is there a gender gap?," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 89-100.
    5. Schafer, Joseph A. & Huebner, Beth M. & Bynum, Timothy S., 2006. "Fear of crime and criminal victimization: Gender-based contrasts," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 285-301.
    6. Cullen, Francis T. & Cullen, John B. & Wozniak, John F., 1988. "Is rehabilitation dead? The myth of the punitive public," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 303-317.
    7. Riley, Pamela Johnson & Rose, Vicki McNickle, 1980. "Public vs. elite opinion on correctional reform: Implications for social policy," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 8(6), pages 345-356.
    8. Cullen, Francis T. & Golden, Kathryn M. & Cullen, John B., 1983. "Is child saving dead? Attitudes toward juvenile rehabilitation in Illinois," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13.
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    Cited by:

    1. Behnken, Monic P. & Caudill, Jonathan W. & Berg, Mark T. & Trulson, Chad R. & DeLisi, Matt, 2011. "Marked for Death: An Empirical Criminal Careers Analysis of Death Sentences in a Sample of Convicted Male Homicide Offenders," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 471-478.

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