Building on existing research in the area of offenders’ perceptions of the punitiveness of criminal sanctions, this study gathered survey data from seven State probation and parole offices in Kentucky. The study sample consisted of 588 survey respondents on probation or parole in the State at the end of 2003. The study compared the punitiveness of criminal sanctions of African-Americans and Whites. The survey instrument was adapted from previous research in this area undertaken in 1999 and 2003 and included a section on demographics. Study findings indicated that probationers and parolees preferred prison over jail, as well as an equal preference for probation over prison. The study showed that many probationers and parolees perceived a shorter jail term as more punitive than a 1-year prison term. In addition, race and education both predicted greater preferences for prison over probation, and race predicted a greater preference for prison over jail. Study implications are presented and discussed. References