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

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.