Abstract

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) are prevalent within the criminal justice system, and formal justice involvement exacerbates SITB risk. Nevertheless, there is a lack of understanding about public perceptions of offenders with SITB. Using a sample of 2,097 U.S. residents, this randomized controlled trial evaluates public perceptions of relevant criminal justice outcomes and offender characteristics when an offender exhibits or reports SITB. Participants were more likely to endorse arrest for offenders–particularly violent offenders–who exhibited or reported SITB. Respondents were also more likely to believe offenders who exhibited or reported SITB–particularly violent offenders–would recidivate. SITB was associated with perceptions of increased dangerousness to self and others, which were explanatory mechanisms for why SITB was associated with endorsement for arrest and perceptions of increased likelihood of recidivism. These findings offer important insights into the general concern from the public to maintain public health and safety. Policy implications and future directions are discussed.

摘要

自伤思想和行为 (SITB) 在刑事司法系统中很普遍，正式的司法介入加剧了 SITB 风险。然而，公众对 SITB 罪犯的看法缺乏了解。这项随机对照试验使用 2,097 名美国居民作为样本，评估公众对相关刑事司法结果和罪犯表现出或报告 SITB 时罪犯特征的看法。参与者更有可能支持逮捕表现出或报告 SITB 的罪犯——尤其是暴力罪犯。受访者也更有可能相信表现出或报告 SITB 的罪犯——尤其是暴力罪犯——会再犯。SITB 与对自己和他人的危险性增加的看法有关，这是为什么 SITB 与批准逮捕和对再犯可能性增加的看法有关的解释机制。这些调查结果为公众对维护公共健康和安全的普遍关注提供了重要见解。讨论了政策影响和未来方向。