Just over four in ten reject the idea that criminals deserve care over punishment
Core finding
In a Verasight survey conducted Jan. 18-24, 2024, roughly two-in-five Americans (41%) disagree that criminals are unfortunate people who deserve much better care instead of so much punishment, with strong disagreement accounting for 14 points.
Another 37% agree, including 8% who strongly agree, while 22% neither agree nor disagree.
Topline scale
Just over four in ten reject the idea that criminals deserve care over punishment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Our prisons are a shocking disgrace. Criminals are unfortunate people who deserve much better care, instead of so much punishment."
n = 1,000 · Jan 18–24, 2024 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Jan 18–24, 2024 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers
Criminals are unfortunate people who deserve much better care, instead of so much punishment."
Cite this question
Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.