Correlates of Legislative Crime Control Ideology

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between the crime control attitudes espoused by state legislators and their personal characteristics, their political and constituency characteristics, and their contact with the criminal justice system. A questionaire administered to the members of the Illinois state legislature included 64 items requesting their opinions on crime causation and criminal justice policies. Through a factor analysis technique, three scales were formed measuring attitudes that favored conservative, liberal, and rehabilitative policies. Findings suggest that those legislators representing high crime areas are not more likely to support "get tough" policies. In addition, evidence is presented that those individuals having a greater familiarity with the correctional system are less likely to advocate harsh criminal sanctions.