Parole in crisis? Public opinion on the use of parole (2015–2019)
Abstract:
Serious crimes committed by parolees in Australia have brought parole into the public eye. Without concrete
evidence, governments often act on the assumption that the public holds punitive attitudes. This project
develops an evidence base to inform policy on parole at a crucial time when governments are under
pressure to restrict its use. Three mixed-method studies will assess: what public views on parole are, why the
public holds these views, and what influence these views have on policy and practice. The project makes a
contribution to (1) creating information strategies that properly inform the public, (2) supporting prisoner
reintegration strategies, and (3) shaping criminal justice policies based on informed community feedback.