Perceptions of Criminal Justice Students Towards Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

• In Event: Pursuing Punishment for Drug Crimes: Examining Policy and Public Opinion

Abstract

The research sought to observe perceptions of criminal justice students toward persons with mental illness and substance users. Previous literature has supported that stigma toward mental illness and substance users is still very much present within the general population. Stigma and bias can motivate discrimination and therefore, criminalization of these populations, due to the criminal justice system often holding similar and sometimes harsher views than the general population. The study was a Qualtrics based survey using a purposive sample of psychology and criminal majors at a private Midwestern university. The sample contains 116 students. The survey sought to understand held perceptions and potential biases that these student populations have toward persons with mental illness and substance users to gain a better understanding of what insights are being brought into the students' respective fields. Implications for the future of criminal justice and psychology-based education programs will be discussed to best understand how to prepare students for their careers.

Authors

• Brittany Drag, Carroll University

• Jennifer L. Huck, Carroll University