# Just over four in ten reject the idea that criminals deserve care over punishment

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/just-over-four-in-ten-reject-the-idea-that-criminals-deserve-care-over-punishment/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

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

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."

Just over four in ten reject the idea that criminals deserve care over punishment.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Neither agree nor disagree: 21.9%
- Somewhat agree: 15.7%
- Disagree: 14.2%
- Strongly disagree: 14.0%
- Agree: 13.1%
- Somewhat disagree: 12.7%
- Strongly agree: 8.4%

## 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: 2024-01-18 → 2024-01-24
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers](https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers)

## Citation

Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers](https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers)