The NCCD – Zogby Poll

Public Attitudes toward Rehabilitation and Reentry

June 27, 2006

How concerned are you about crime in your community?

Not Concerned

26.0%

Somewhat Concerned

40.0%

Very Concerned

34.0%

In 2006, 700,000 prisoners in all categories will be released from prison to their home communities. How do you feel about this situation?

Somewhat Concerned

57.0%

Not Concerned

21.0%

Fearful 22.0%

Do you think that people who have served their time in prison for nonviolent offenses are more likely, less likely, or about the same than they were before their imprisonment to commit future crimes?

About the Same51.0%

Less Likely14.0%

Unsure 4.0%

More Likely31.0%

What would you prefer the state implement?

Services In and Out of

Prison 70.0%

Services After Prison

6.0%

Services In Prison 11.0%

Punishment 11.0%

Unsure 2.0%

A large majority (70.0%) prefer Policy 4, making state-funded rehabilitation services available to incarcerated people both while they are in prison and after they have been released from prison. Much fewer respondents prefer Policy 1 (11.0%), Policy 2 (11.0%), or Policy 3 (6.0%).

Sixty – 75.0% of those released from state prisons are rearrested within two years. Tell me whether you think each issue is a major factor, minor factor, or not a factor in the high rate of returns to prison?

66.0%

58.0% 57.0%

21.0%

29.0%

23.0%

30.0%

39.0%

9.0% 10.0%12.0%

38.0%

2.0% 2.0%2.0% 2.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Life Skills Prison Experience Other Obstacles Once a Criminal

Major Factor Minor Factor Not a Factor Unsure

Barriers to SuccessWhich barrier is very important, somewhat important, or not important in a person’s successful reintegration to society after incarceration?

82.0%

48.0%44.0%

28.0%

44.0%40.0%

16.0%

32.0%

38.0% 39.0%

2.0%

38.0%

13.0% 14.0% 15.0%

1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 2.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

Job Training Medical Services Public Housing Student Loans Right to Vote

Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important Unsure

ServicesAccess to each is very important, somewhat important, or not important to a person’s successful reintegration into society after incarceration?

81.0% 80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

53.0%

62.0%

17.0%

24.0%

33.0%

39.0%

16.0%

31.0%

2.0%7.0% 8.0%

5.0% 6.0% 7.0%

1.0% 1.0%1.0% 1.0%1.0% 1.0%0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

Job Training Drug Treatment Mental HealthServices

Family Support Mentoring Housing

Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important Unsure

When do you think planning for an incarcerated person’s reentry into society should begin?

One Year Prior 27%

Six Months Prior 20%

Upon Release 7%

Never 1%

Unsure 1%

At Sentencing

44%

The Second Chance ActDo you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this bill?

Support 38.0%

Oppose 7.0%

Strongly Oppose 7.0%

Unsure 8.0%

Strongly Support 40.0%

Summary

Of those polled, 74.0% are somewhat or very concerned about the problem of crime in their communities, and 79.0% are concerned or fearful about the annual release of 700,000 prisoners.

Summary

By almost an 8 to 1 margin (87.0% to 11.0%), the US voting public is in favor of rehabilitative services for prisoners as opposed to a punishment-only system. Of those polled, 70.0% favored services both during incarceration and after release from prison.

Summary

Only 14.0% of those polled thought that people coming out of prison were less likely to commit new crimes than they were before imprisonment. Over 50.0% thought the likelihood was at least the same, while 31.0% thought that the likelihood of new crime was greater after prison than before.

Summary

By strong majorities, US voters feel that a lack of like skills, the experience of being in prison, and obstacles to reentry are major factors in the rearrest of prisoners after release. Few thought that criminality is inherent.

Summary

By an overwhelming majority (82.0%), likely voters felt that a lack of job training was a very significant barrier to released prisoners avoiding subsequent crime. They also thought that medical care, the availability of public housing, and student loans are important (86.0%, 84.0%, and 83.0% respectively).

Summary

By huge margins, those polled felt that job training, drug treatment, mental health services, family support, mentoring, and housing were all very important services that should be offered to prisoners. Less than 10.0% of those polled (only 2.0% in the case of job training) thought that these services were unimportant.

Summary

Of those polled, 44.0% felt that planning for reentry should begin at sentencing, another 27.0% thought it should begin 12 months prior to release. Only 7.0% were not in favor of planning for reentry.

Summary

When asked about pending legislation that would allocate federal dollars to prisoner reentry (The Second Chance Act), 78.0% were in support. Of those, almost half expressed strong support.