WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent Gallup survey conducted from October 2 to 23, reveals a significant shift in American attitudes toward the criminal justice system. Currently, 58% of U.S. adults believe the system is not stringent enough in dealing with crime, contrasting sharply with the 2020 reading when only 41% held this view. Additionally, 26% consider the system’s approach adequate, while 14% perceive it as excessively harsh.
This change marks the sixth time since 1992 that Gallup has queried public opinion on this matter. Early surveys (1992-2003) consistently showed a majority (65% to 83%) advocating for a tougher stance. However, in 2016, this majority diminished, with opinions evenly split on the adequacy of the system’s rigidity.
Notably, throughout these years, Republican and Republican-leaning independents have uniformly favored a more stringent system. Conversely, Democratic views have fluctuated, with support for a tougher system ranging from 25% to 62%, and the perspective of it being too harsh varying between 6% and 35%.
In the latest poll, 75% of Republicans call for a tougher system, compared to 42% of Democrats. The opinions of Democrats are more polarized, with 35% finding the system’s toughness adequate and 20% considering it too harsh.
The report also highlights the collective views of minority groups, labeled as “people of color,” encompassing Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Americans. Compared to 63% of White adults who deem the system lenient, a smaller fraction (49%) of people of color concur. Additionally, 29% of these individuals find the system’s approach appropriate, while 20% view it as overly strict.
Furthermore, the poll indicates a stark division among Americans regarding the fairness of treatment towards individuals accused of crimes. An equal proportion (49%) of U.S. adults perceive the treatment as either fair or unfair. This sentiment marks a notable departure from earlier readings in 2000 and 2003 when two-thirds of Americans believed in the fairness of treatment towards suspects.
The survey also uncovers a political divide: 55% of Republicans and 53% of White adults consider the treatment of suspects fair, whereas 55% of Democrats and 56% of people of color perceive it as unfair. The belief in fair treatment has declined since 2003, dropping by 18 percentage points among both Republicans and Democrats, and by 15 and 18 points among White adults and people of color, respectively.
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