Incorporating COVID-19 Crisis in Experiments to Examine Americans' Support for Visitation & Vaccination in Prison

• In Event: Stigma Toward People with Criminal Records: Implications for Policy and Practice

Abstract

The public holds both punitive and pragmatic attitudes toward prison policy. Yet it is unclear whether the public supports progressive policies when the compassionate efforts do not directly relate to recidivism. Using a quota-based national sample fielded in spring 2021 (N=1260), we explore the role of exclusionary symbolic aims (prioritizing non-prisoner groups), inclusionary symbolic aims (minimizing health risk for the vulnerable), and cost (taxes) in two experimental vignettes. We also examine respondent experiences (e.g., exposure to COVID-19, vaccine status, personal or vicarious arrest) and beliefs (e.g., political ideology, racial resentment, stigma). Results show dominant exclusionary symbolic aims, with strong preferences for non-prisoner groups in facilitating safe in-person visits (in long-term care facilities) and vaccine priorities (to prison guards). Inclusionary symbolic aims were less clear when examining risk from vaccine side effects or vulnerable populations (the elderly). High cost reduced support for compassionate policy. COVID-19 worry and vaccination status, as well as political beliefs, also predicted policy support. The findings suggest that public support for policies aimed at maintaining the health of individuals who are incarcerated may be motivated by similar factors as punishment preferences. We will also discuss some notable differences.

Authors

• Luzi Shi, Bridgewater State University

• Audrey Hickert, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

• Jason Silver, Rutgers University