Citation

Cumberland J, Zamble E. Can. J. Behav. Sci. 1992; 24(4): 442-455.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1037/h0078752

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

166 adults in Canada answered a set of global questions measuring attitudes toward the criminal justice system and made decisions about a set of hypothetical offenders applying for parole. The cases varied in type of offense, criminal history, and participation in rehabilitative programs while in prison. Many Ss supported parole in some circumstances (e.g., at least a majority of Ss chose some form of early release for each of the nonviolent offenders portrayed). Each manipulated variable had significant effects on Ss' willingness to recommend early release, showing that Ss' choices were not determined entirely by considerations of retribution or punishment. Global questions seemed to show much more punitive attitudes than did decisions in specific cases. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

Attitude Measures; Criminal Justice; Criminal Offenders; Institutional Release; Public Opinion