Who Knows What about Correction?

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study of the amount and kinds of correctional information held by members of the gen eral public. A few hundred laymen in San Francisco were inter viewed and their responses were compared with those of a small sample of professional correctional workers. The results indicate that most citizens are relatively well informed about the more dramatic aspects of law enforcement and correction but are generally ignorant of the details of correctional procedures. Many are not aware that California's correctional system is widely credited as the most progressive in the United States. Perhaps more surprising is the finding of some major gaps in information among correctional employees. Some implications of these findings are discussed briefly.