Gender, Justice, and Funding: Exploring Support for Prison Programming and Reentry Initiatives

• In Event: Reentry and Reintegration in Global and Gendered Contexts

Abstract

Public support for prison programming and reentry initiatives has been well-documented, but less is known about how one’s gender shapes support for and, particularly, their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for such services. As such, this study examines the intersection of gender, public attitudes, and financial commitment to correctional programming, using data from a national survey of 370 respondents. Prior research indicates that women are generally more supportive of rehabilitative efforts compared to men, though their WTP for these initiatives may be influenced by factors such as crime type, program proximity, and personal political orientation. This study explores whether gender differences in empathy, social dominance orientation, and attribution styles relate to support for in-prison and post-release services. Additionally, it considers how ideological factors such as right-wing authoritarianism and punitive attitudes may moderate these relationships. The findings from this research will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of public attitudes and inform policymakers and advocates in how to design reentry initiatives that align with the publics’ priorities.

Authors

• Jessica M. Grosholz, University of South Florida

• Karah Y. Greene, University of South Florida

• Matthew Moore, University of South Florida

• Britani M. Holland, University of South Florida

• Sondra J. Fogel, University of South Florida

• John K. Cochran, University of South Florida