Objectives

After years of decreasing public punitiveness and declining crime rates, politicians are seeking evidence-based crime policies to reduce mass incarceration without increasing crime. One such policy that has been implemented in several US cities is the Operation Peacemaker Fellowship (OPF), which incentivizes conformity and program participation by providing monetary stipends to individuals at risk of violent offending, thereby simultaneously reducing violence and incarceration. Yet, there is no evidence about public support for such policies.

Methods

Using a nationally representative survey experiment, we examine public support for violence prevention stipends. We employ a referendum-style, contingent valuation design to measure the impact of tax increases versus tax savings on public opinion, and we randomize message framing that emphasizes the stipend program’s risky versus protective features.

Results

Both tax changes and risk framing matter. The public is willing to vote for stipends when they reduce taxes and are framed as a method to save lives. Most Republicans oppose stipends under all conditions.

Conclusions

Reformers can increase public support for effective, nonpunitive policies that target violent offenders by emphasizing both their economic and social benefits. However, such policies are likely to face consistent opposition from certain portions of the public.

中文翻译：

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向公众出售有效的预防暴力政策：具有全国代表性的框架实验

目标

在经过多年减少公共惩罚和降低犯罪率之后，政客们正在寻求基于证据的犯罪政策，以在不增加犯罪的情况下减少大规模监禁。在美国几个城市中已经实施的一项政策就是“和事制造者奖学金”（OPF），该政策通过向处于暴力犯罪风险中的个人提供金钱津贴，从而激励合规性和计划参与性，从而同时减少暴力和监禁。但是，没有证据表明公众支持此类政策。

方法

我们使用全国代表性的调查实验，研究了公众对预防暴力津贴的支持。我们采用全民投票式的或有条件的估值设计来衡量增税与节税对公众舆论的影响，并且我们将强调助学金计划的风险与保护功能的信息框架随机化。

结果

税收变化和风险框架都很重要。公众愿意在减税时为助学金投票，并将其作为挽救生命的一种手段。大多数共和党人在任何情况下都反对津贴。

结论

改革者可以通过强调经济和社会利益，增加公众对针对暴力犯罪者的有效，非惩罚性政策的支持。但是，这样的政策很可能会受到某些公众的一贯反对。