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Survey of the state's registered voters, conducted by Community Renewal Society, indicates public support for rehabilitation for prisoners both during and after release from prison
Media Contact:
Yvonne Nieves, 312. 673.3871
Click here to download the complete survey.
May 1, 2007 - CHICAGO - Community Renewal Society today released survey data that indicates a solid majority of Illinois voters believe the best criminal justice policies are those that seek to reduce and prevent crime through education and rehabilitation, such as job training and treatment for substance abuse. The survey, conducted by political scientist Tari Renner, Ph.D., for Community Renewal, mirrors results of recent national surveys that indicate overwhelming public support for rehabilitation and other options for prisoners both during and after release from prison.
Specifically, Illinois registered voters:
Favor social programs and education over increased penalties when considering policies aimed at reducing crime and recidivism.
Overwhelmingly support children's right to speak with and see their incarcerated parent, and receive supportive services during their parents' incarceration.
Favor requiring prisoners to work and receive job training and placement, and to take classes and get an education while imprisoned and after release.
Support early release programs for prisoners who successfully participate in rehabilitation programs.
Believe that access to housing, drug treatment, mental health services and job training are very important to a prisoners' reintegration into their communities after incarceration.
"This isn't about beings soft on crime," said Rev. Calvin S. Morris, Ph.D., Community Renewal's Executive Director. "Rather, Illinois residents realize that our criminal justice system should provide alternatives to incarceration for certain offenses, and adequately prepare those imprisoned for re-entry into society. This broken system creates a vicious cycle, one that tears apart families and exhausts valuable public resources."
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SURVEY RESULTS
State legislators regularly consider a host of criminal justice policies. This data can help inform their decision-making process. Three bills currently in front of the state legislature that would likely receive support from voters based on the survey results are:
HB1294/SB1390 - expands eligibility for Good Conduct Certificates, which eliminate select barriers to employment and bring the lifelong punishment of a prison sentence to an end for those who the State of Illinois finds rehabilitated.
HB1293/SB1391 - grants a 90-day early release from parole for those individual who get their GED during their parole.
HB 2734 (The Drug School Act) - mandates the creation of drug treatment and education programs by each county's State's Attorney's Office as an alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration for low-level, non-violent drug offenders.
"Policymakers often tread lightly around issues of reform in the criminal justice system," said Todd Dietterle, Community Renewal's Director, Civic Action. "This survey shows that there is enormous public support and ample room to advance reform agendas that help rebuild lives and save tax dollars."
The statewide survey of 450 registered voters employed a Systematic Sample stratified by geographic region to ensure proportional statewide representation.
Community Renewal Society is a progressive, faith-based organization that works to eliminate race and class barriers. Founded in 1882, Community Renewal informs, organizes and trains both communities and individuals to advocate for social and economic justice.
Community Renewal's Civic Action Network brings the organization's member congregations together to eliminate barriers of racism and poverty and create opportunity for all Illinois residents. Fusing action with investigative journalism, Community Renewal Society publishes two award-winning newsmagazines: Catalyst Chicago, an independent publication created to document, analyze, and support improvement efforts in Chicago's public schools, and The Chicago Reporter, an investigative publication that identifies, analyzes, and reports on the social, economic, and political issues of metropolitan Chicago with a focus on race and poverty.
Illinois Voters Favor Education And Social Programs Over Increased Penalties As A Strategy To Reduce And Prevent Crime
May 1 5:07 PMSurvey of the state's registered voters, conducted by Community Renewal Society, indicates public support for rehabilitation for prisoners both during and after release from prison
Media Contact:
Yvonne Nieves, 312. 673.3871
Click here to download the complete survey.
May 1, 2007 - CHICAGO - Community Renewal Society today released survey data that indicates a solid majority of Illinois voters believe the best criminal justice policies are those that seek to reduce and prevent crime through education and rehabilitation, such as job training and treatment for substance abuse. The survey, conducted by political scientist Tari Renner, Ph.D., for Community Renewal, mirrors results of recent national surveys that indicate overwhelming public support for rehabilitation and other options for prisoners both during and after release from prison.
Specifically, Illinois registered voters:
"This isn't about beings soft on crime," said Rev. Calvin S. Morris, Ph.D., Community Renewal's Executive Director. "Rather, Illinois residents realize that our criminal justice system should provide alternatives to incarceration for certain offenses, and adequately prepare those imprisoned for re-entry into society. This broken system creates a vicious cycle, one that tears apart families and exhausts valuable public resources."
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SURVEY RESULTS
State legislators regularly consider a host of criminal justice policies. This data can help inform their decision-making process. Three bills currently in front of the state legislature that would likely receive support from voters based on the survey results are:
"Policymakers often tread lightly around issues of reform in the criminal justice system," said Todd Dietterle, Community Renewal's Director, Civic Action. "This survey shows that there is enormous public support and ample room to advance reform agendas that help rebuild lives and save tax dollars."
The statewide survey of 450 registered voters employed a Systematic Sample stratified by geographic region to ensure proportional statewide representation.
Community Renewal Society is a progressive, faith-based organization that works to eliminate race and class barriers. Founded in 1882, Community Renewal informs, organizes and trains both communities and individuals to advocate for social and economic justice.
Community Renewal's Civic Action Network brings the organization's member congregations together to eliminate barriers of racism and poverty and create opportunity for all Illinois residents. Fusing action with investigative journalism, Community Renewal Society publishes two award-winning newsmagazines: Catalyst Chicago, an independent publication created to document, analyze, and support improvement efforts in Chicago's public schools, and The Chicago Reporter, an investigative publication that identifies, analyzes, and reports on the social, economic, and political issues of metropolitan Chicago with a focus on race and poverty.
