Kelly Welch
Associate Professor, Villanova University
Key Findings
- An individual’s awareness of crime does not increase that individual’s support for harsh punishments for juvenile offenders.
- Those who have a lower perception of crime are more likely to support rehabilitative measures for both juvenile and adult offenders.
- Individuals that have a higher awareness of crime are likely to support rehabilitative measures for juveniles despite also supporting harsh punishments for adults.
Description
In the article, “Saving Children, Damning Adults? An Examination of Public Support for Juvenile Rehabilitation and Adult Punishment,” Welch and her co-authors examine the differences in public views on punishment based on the age of the offender (juvenile or adult) and an individual’s crime salience. Previous research has shown that fear of crime and perception of victimization often lead to an individual’s support for harsh punishments and less support for rehabilitation. The researchers conducted their study by using data from a phone survey by the American Association for Public Opinion Research, which included more than 340 adults across the United States. The results found that while an individual’s awareness of crime increases that individual’s likeliness to support more harsh punishment in adult offenders, it does not correlate to also supporting harsh punishments for juvenile offenders. Those who have a lower perception of crime are more likely to support rehabilitative measures for both juvenile and adult offenders. Individuals that have a higher awareness of crime are likely to support rehabilitative measures for juveniles despite also supporting harsh punishments for adults. In conclusion, the authors note that the public fear seems to more negatively impact adult offenders than juvenile offenders. They recommend further research into determining how public opinion can be swayed to support rehabilitation for both juveniles and adult offenders.