Source: (2009) Thesis. University of Maryland.
Many people support harsh punishments for convicted offenders. Similarly there
are large amounts of political resistance to any criminal justice policies that appear to be
soft on crime. On the surface this is a self perpetuating circle, but when community
views are probed it becomes clear they are much more complex. This article looks at
respondents views on community-based reparative boards in Vermont. In particular, this
study assesses their views on which offenders should go to such boards and the effects
individual characteristics and victimization can have these opinions. Views were
measured through a combination of frequency charts and ordinary lease squares
regressions. They show that people have widely varied views on which offenders should
be referred to reparative boards. Consistent with previous research, victimization status
does not appear to effect respondent’s support for reparative boards. (Author’s abstract).
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