Codi Lee Meyers
Press Release
Public Opinion Significantly Impacts Reintegration and Recidivism
Cedar City, Utah – January 17, 2017 – How do one's personal opinions and views of incarceration shape that individual's interpersonal relationships with offenders? Societal perceptions of repeat criminal offenders were examined by comparing the positive and negative social responses to repeat offenders amongst members of the community of Cedar City, Utah. Some areas of interest that were delved into included employment opportunities, interpersonal relationships, entrustment of childcare, and education. Results indicated that participants felt least comfortable with individuals who have committed multiple felony offenses holding various community positions and most comfortable with individuals who have no prior criminal history participating in these areas of the community.
The level of success one experiences when trying to become reintegrated into their community can largely impact their recidivism. While punitive measures taken against offenders can be major deterrents for committing the original crime, the manner in which one is welcomed back into society after their period of incarceration can act similarly to affect the decision to reoffend. The presence or absence of these factors can determine the success with which one is able to reintegrate into their community.
My research investigated public opinion of reoffenders on multiple levels working to reintegrate into various positions in the community through an online survey. Questions spanned a multitude of different community areas including childcare, education, and work environments, and were evaluated based on participant opinion of misdemeanant and felony offenders, as well as individuals with no criminal history. Scores were compiled for opinions of felons, misdemeanants, and individuals with no previous criminal history. Raw data was evaluated and these scores were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test, which showed that the differences in public perception of reoffenders in the community were not only what one would expect (with participants feeling the least comfortable with felons and the most comfortable with those who had no criminal history), but that they were also statistically significant.
As an individual seeking out employment in areas involving both the criminal justice and the psychology elements of my degree, I find most interesting why people do the things they do, especially as this pertains to criminal behaviors. While one can certainly fall prey to biases and stereotyped beliefs, the old adage that bad people do bad things is not necessarily reversible (bad things are done by bad people, and by bad people only). This being the case, I wanted to study more thoroughly some of the key factors that allow for community members engaging in criminal behaviors to continue doing so. Results from this study will be presented at Southern Utah University’s Festival of Excellence and the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference in April of 2017.
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Codi Lee Meyers
(702) 994-9119