Authors: Cheryl Roberts and Elyse Clawson, Crime and Justice Institute
John Doble, Carol Selton, and Andrew Briker, Doble Research Associates
2005
A public opinion study by the Crime and Justice Institute and Doble Research Associates
Because public opinion is an important factor in shaping criminal justice policy, the Crime and Justice Institute partnered with Doble Research Associates to conduct a nonpartisan public opinion study to explore the views of Massachusetts and Boston residents on a range of criminal justice policies. This study specifically sought to determine how much public support exists for evidence-based practices that criminal justice research has shown to be most effective in reducing criminal behavior.
Over the past decade, mounting research has provided major advances in knowledge about how to reduce offenders’ likelihood of committing new crimes. The study also sought to identify areas where more public education and dialogue might be beneficial. Supported by a grant from the Boston Foundation, the study included telephone interviews with 748 randomly sampled Massachusetts adults.
Full Report (pdf)
