Solitary Refinement: A Nuanced look at Public Knowledge and Situational Approval of Restrictive Housing

• In Event: Perceptions of Deservingness: Rights, Justice Reinvestment, and Appropriate Punishments

Abstract

A convenient sample of students is utilized to determine previous knowledge of restrictive housing, or solitary confinement. General approval or disapproval of restrictive housing is assessed in addition to how opinions change for different situations and populations. Using vignettes, the type segregation, age of inmate and length of stay are manipulated. In addition, the type of offense leading to disciplinary segregation and type of population in protective segregation are randomly assigned. General demographic information and previous interaction with crime and the criminal justice system are also measured to explore correlates of restrictive housing opinions.

Author

• Chelsea Ruffner, Florida State University