Public Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Conditional Sentences > Part 1
Single Wave Study
General Information
Title
Part 1
Project Number
50.1
Abstract
This is the experimental part of the survey Public Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Conditional Sentences.
Participants were given information (short descriptions) about conditional sentences to measure the influence of this information (and hence knowledge) on attitudes while also taking into consideration the general penal attitude of participants. Four distinct groups were differentiated: group 1 received additional information on the effectiveness of conditional sentences; group 2 received additional information on the nature of the conditional sentences; group 3 received additional information on both the nature and effectiveness of the conditional sentences while, finally, group 4 received no additional information (control condition).
Participants were given information (short descriptions) about conditional sentences to measure the influence of this information (and hence knowledge) on attitudes while also taking into consideration the general penal attitude of participants. Four distinct groups were differentiated: group 1 received additional information on the effectiveness of conditional sentences; group 2 received additional information on the nature of the conditional sentences; group 3 received additional information on both the nature and effectiveness of the conditional sentences while, finally, group 4 received no additional information (control condition).
Longitudinal Type
Single Wave Study
Begin date
04-10-2010
End date
27-10-2010
Researcher
Van Gelder, Jean-Louis
Publisher
CentERdata
Copyright
© 2010 CentERdata
Funding Organization
CentERdata/MESS Project
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-xs7-ntha
Datasets and documentation
View Documentation
Codebook in English
Codebook in Dutch
Data Files
English SPSS file
English STATA file
Variables
| Variable name | Variable Label | Variable Type |
|---|---|---|
| nomem_encr | Number of household member encrypted | preloaded |
| do10a_m | Year and month of the field work period | constructed |
| do10a001 | Which statement is presented first | constructed |
| do10a002 | Which statement is presented second | constructed |
| do10a003 | Which statement is presented third | constructed |
| do10a004 | Which statement is presented fourth | constructed |
| do10a005 | Which statement is presented fifth | constructed |
| do10a006 | Which statement is presented sixth | constructed |
| do10a007 | Which statement is presented seventh | constructed |
| do10a008 | Which statement is presented eighth | constructed |
| do10a009 | Which statement is presented ninth | constructed |
| do10a010 | Which statement is presented tenth | constructed |
| do10a011 | Which statement is presented eleventh | constructed |
| do10a012 | Which statement is presented twelfth | constructed |
| do10a013 | Which statement is presented thirteenth | constructed |
| do10a014 | Which statement is presented fourteenth | constructed |
| do10a015 | Which statement is presented fifteenth | constructed |
| do10a016 | Which statement is presented sixteenth | constructed |
| do10a017 | Which statement is presented seventeenth | constructed |
| do10a018 | Which statement is presented eighteenth | constructed |
| do10a019 | Which statement is presented nineteenth | constructed |
| do10a020 | Which statement is presented twentieth | constructed |
| do10a021 | Which statement is presented twenty-first | constructed |
| do10a022 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented first | constructed |
| do10a023 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented second | constructed |
| do10a024 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented third | constructed |
| do10a025 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented fourth | constructed |
| do10a026 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented fifth | constructed |
| do10a027 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented sixth | constructed |
| do10a028 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented seventh | constructed |
| do10a029 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented eighth | constructed |
| do10a030 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented ninth | constructed |
| do10a031 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented tenth | constructed |
| do10a032 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented eleventh | constructed |
| do10a033 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented twelfth | constructed |
| do10a034 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented thirteenth | constructed |
| do10a035 | Which statement on suspended sentencing is presented fourteenth | constructed |
| do10a036 | Random condition | constructed |
| do10a037 | To make society safer, offenders should be incarcerated rather than out on the streets. | directly measured |
| do10a038 | The criminal justice system should accommodate the process of negotiation between offender and victim. | directly measured |
| do10a039 | It is better to incarcerate persistent offenders for longer periods since this will prevent future crimes from taking place. | directly measured |
| do10a040 | In order to deter potential offenders, heavier sentences should be imposed in the Netherlands. | directly measured |
| do10a041 | Officials in the criminal justice system have the moral duty to help criminals get back on the right track. | directly measured |
| do10a042 | Unless the perpetrator of a serious crime receives an unconditional prison sentence, he will continue to pose a threat to society. | directly measured |
| do10a043 | The best form of punishment is one which, given the hard caused by the crime, maximizes the possibilities for restitution and compensation. | directly measured |
| do10a044 | To ensure the safety of citizens, perpetrators of serious crimes should be incarcerated as long as possible. | directly measured |
| do10a045 | An imposed sentence must really feel like punishment by the offender. | directly measured |
| do10a046 | Punishment is deserved suffering. | directly measured |
| do10a047 | When criminal statistics show the prevalence of a particular offence to be increasing, the severity of punishment for that offence should also increase. | directly measured |
| do10a048 | Even for alternative sanctions the infliction of suffering should be a prominent feature. | directly measured |
| do10a049 | Severe sentencing has a deterrent effect on potential offenders. | directly measured |
| do10a050 | Punishment without an element of suffering is no real punishment. | directly measured |
| do10a051 | A criminal process can only be qualified as a success when the victim is satisfied with the outcome. | directly measured |
| do10a052 | Criminal prosecution is superfluous in situations where offender and victim have, as a result of mutual consultation, found a solution to the conflict. | directly measured |
| do10a053 | In establishing type and severity of punishment, the possibilities for re-socialization should first be considered. | directly measured |
| do10a054 | The central focus of the criminal justice system should be re-socialization. | directly measured |
| do10a055 | Compensation to the victim, if possible, is more important than inflicting suffering on the offender. | directly measured |
| do10a056 | The most important role of the criminal justice system is to re-socialize criminals. | directly measured |
| do10a057 | Severe sentencing increases the credibility of the criminal justice system. | directly measured |
| do10a058 | Imposing a suspended sentence can also be justified for serious crimes. | directly measured |
| do10a059 | Suspended sentences are a typical example of too lenient sentencing in the Netherlands. | directly measured |
| do10a060 | Suspended sentences are damaging for public confidence in the judiciary. | directly measured |
| do10a061 | A suspended sentence is an effective means of preventing future criminal behavior of an offender. | directly measured |
| do10a062 | Offenders do not really experience a suspended sentence as punishment. | directly measured |
| do10a063 | A suspended sentence hardly has a deterrent effect. | directly measured |
| do10a064 | A suspended sentence provides offenders a chance to improve their lives. | directly measured |
| do10a065 | Suspended sentences are not severe enough to be effective. | directly measured |
| do10a066 | A suspended sentence offers an offender more possibilities for staying on the right track than an unconditional sentence. | directly measured |
| do10a067 | A suspended sentence can also be acceptable for offenders with prior convictions. | directly measured |
| do10a068 | Suspended sentences are effective means for changing the criminal behavior of individuals. | directly measured |
| do10a069 | All things considered, I have a positive attitude with respect to the imposition of suspended sentences. | directly measured |
| do10a070 | A suspended sentence provides offenders a second chance. | directly measured |
| do10a071 | I do not believe that suspended sentences can prevent offenders from reoffending. | directly measured |
| do10a072 | Was it difficult to answer the questions? | directly measured |
| do10a073 | Were the questions sufficiently clear? | directly measured |
| do10a074 | Did the questionnaire get you thinking about things? | directly measured |
| do10a075 | Was it an interesting subject? | directly measured |
| do10a076 | Did you enjoy answering the questions? | directly measured |
| do10a077 | Starting date questionnaire | constructed |
| do10a078 | Starting time questionnaire | constructed |
| do10a079 | End date questionnaire | constructed |
| do10a080 | End time questionnaire | constructed |
| do10a081 | Duration in seconds | derived |
Questions
Questionnaire: Conditional Sentences1
This questionnaire was originally conducted in Dutch.
Browse Conditional Sentences1Response Information
Response Overview
Selected number of household members: 588 (100%)Non-response: 160 (27.2%)
Response: 428 (72.8%)
Complete: 428 (72.8%)
Incomplete: 0 (0.0%)
Collection Events
Period
04-10-2010 to 27-10-2010
Sample
a random sample of 588 panel members 16 years and older
Collection Mode
internet survey
Fieldwork Note
a reminder was sent twice to non-respondents
Publications
Unknown, Unloved? Public Opinion on and Knowledge of Suspended Sentences in the Netherlands Crime and Delinquency, 61(5), pp. 669-689 ; Van Gelder, J.-L.
et al.
Exploring Public Support for Suspended Sentences in the Netherlands European Journal of Criminology, 12(2), pp. 188-207; Aarten, P.G.M.
et al.