Misdemeanant Probationers’ Perspectives of Severity among Criminal Sanctions

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Research has challenged the long held belief that probation is at one extreme of the severity spectrum and incarceration is on the other (May & Wood, 2010). The relationship between offenders’ perception of the severity of different types of criminal sanctions is a complex
(Flory, May, Minor & Wood, 2006; May & Wood, 2010). Offenders’ demographic characteristics and past experiences related to the criminal justice system influence their perception of the punitiveness or severity of criminal sanctions. Using both quantitative and qualitative data obtained during semi-structured interviews, this project examines misdemeanant probationers’ views of the severity of eight different criminal sanctions: boot camp, day reporting, electronic monitoring, fines, intensive probation, jail, prison and probation. Policy recommendations will be discussed.

Authors

• Saskia Daniele Santos, SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services

• Julie Marie Baldwin, University of Arkansas at Little Rock