The National Punishment Survey and Public Policy Consequences

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Abstract
Research into the criminal justice policy formation process has made it clear that public preferences are important influences. While public preferences about punishment are often strong and well-articulated, they are largely unconstrained by the consequences associated with those choices. This study examines these policy issues as they relate to a recent national survey of public attitudes concerning punishment for criminal offenses. The potential policy consequences of the preferences expressed in the survey were estimated by applying the punishment preferences to a recent conviction cohort from New York State. Comparisons were then made between the actual outcomes in New York with those that would have occurred if the survey results had applied. As anticipated from prior research concerning public attitudes about punishment, the survey respondents were more punitive than actual practice. The additional correctional costs that would have been associated with applying those preferences to the New York offenders were also estimated and found to be very high. The implications of these results for public policy formulation are discussed.