Abstract

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESP) is a venue for public education and dialogue on contemporary as well as historical criminal justice issues. Since visitors to prison museums typically have had limited involvement with prisons, the experience they have onsite may impact their perceptions of contemporary criminal justice issues. Therefore, this study examined the influence of the onsite experiences, as well as policy narratives, policy beliefs, and underlying values on interpretive outcomes. Visitors were surveyed at the end of their visit to Eastern State Penitentiary. Multiple regression was conducted to identify which factors predicted interpretive outcomes. Results showed an increased awareness of criminal justice issues, increased empathy and appreciation for those involved in the system, and support for criminal justice reform across ideological boundaries.

摘要

东部州立监狱历史遗址（ESP）是一个就当代以及历史刑事司法问题进行公众教育和对话的场所。由于监狱博物馆的参观者通常对监狱的参与有限，因此他们在现场的经历可能会影响他们对当代刑事司法问题的认识。因此，本研究考察了现场经验以及政策叙述，政策信念和潜在价值对解释结果的影响。在对东部州立监狱的访问结束时对访问者进行了调查。进行了多元回归，以确定哪些因素预测了解释结果。结果表明，人们对刑事司法问题的意识增强，同情该系统的人更加同情和赞赏，