Public Support for Correctional Treatment: The Continuing Appeal of the Rehabilitative Ideal

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Abstract
For three decades, American correctional policy has focused on “getting tough” with offenders, and recent innovations continue this trend. It is unclear, however, that the public desires such a singularly punitive approach to crime. This study reports results from a statewide, contemporary assessment of citizens' attitudes toward rehabilitation. The results indicate that the public still believes that rehabilitation should be an integral part of correctional policy. Furthermore, support for a treatment approach is fairly consistent across demographic groups and across different types of questions used to tap citizens' views. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.