Perceptions of Progressive Criminal Justice Policies and the Link to Justice Education

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Progressive criminal justice policies are widely considered by experts to move the criminal justice system forward. This project will focus on the debate surrounding abolishing capital punishment, implementing bail reform, and implementing drug decriminalization, three progressive policies thought to bring about reform. This study will address the question of how college students in a justice oriented academic institution perceive progressive criminal justice policies compared to college students in a non-justice oriented academic institution, and will seek to address the role justice education has in shaping these views. Surveys will be sent to three different groups: criminal justice majors at John Jay, non-criminal justice majors at John Jay, and all majors at College of Staten Island. By surveying these three groups, this study intends to determine the effects of a justice education on perceptions of these progressive criminal justice policies.

Author

• Alexa Abruzese, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY