A comparative analysis of public educational needs in the rehabilitative care of individuals who have committed serious criminal offences: A cross cultural study

Abstract

Political doctrine has arguably coloured public perceptions of prison, as a lone deterrent, in reducing crime rates. Literature pertaining to public attitudes of criminality reports harsher punitive views towards individuals who have committed criminal offences in the UK, but this has yet to be assessed by education level. In two independently sampled studies, we explored how degree-level classifications more broadly impact the punitive or rehabilitative leaning of an individual (Study One, N = 180), and whether associations were replicated for forensic psychology education more specifically, internationally (Study Two, N = 183). Whilst merely having a degree did not significantly impact punitive judgments, undertaking a forensic psychology degree specifically, relative to criminology or psychology degrees more broadly, resulted in more positive and less punitive attitudes. There is a clear need for transparency of the Criminal Justice System in the provision of better education, allowing members of the public to make better informed decisions of their punitive judgments of individuals who have committed serious criminal offences. Furthermore, a better understanding of perceptions of these individuals and implications they may have on their treatment; the derivation of such opinions implicating governmental policies regarding rehabilitative care in cases of serious crime. Individual implications for the Slovak educational system and the overall importance of forensic psychology as an independent course.

Keywords

• Public attitudes
• Punitive attitudes
• Serious crime offenders
• Forensic psychology