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Attitudes Toward Capital Punishment Among Indiana Legislators: Diminished Support in Light of Alternative Sentencing Options

NCJ Number
154202
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 651-677
Author(s)
M Sandys; E F McGarrell
Date Published
1994
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study found that support for capital punishment among Indiana legislators was less pervasive than indicated by media accounts.
Abstract
Information was obtained from legislators on crime in their districts, perceptions of constituent safety, general support for capital punishment, preferences for alternative sentences, and specific policy proposals related to capital punishment. Of Indiana's 150 legislators, 113 (75.3 percent) participated in the study. The typical respondent was a white male who had never been employed in the criminal justice system but had visited a correctional facility. Findings revealed that the majority of legislators, despite high general support for the death penalty, preferred life without parole coupled with work and restitution to victim families. Only a relatively small number of legislators expressed support for the current death penalty policy in Indiana. Personal, political, and constituent characteristics related to policy preferences of Indiana legislators are discussed. An appendix describes the study variables. 34 references, 13 footnotes, and 4 tables

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