Public support for universal second look sentencing, a research note

Paula Smith; Amanda Graham; Francis T. Cullen; Justin T. Pickett; Cheryl Lero Jonson; Kellie R. Hannan; Amanda Pompoco

doi:10.1111/1745-9125.12391

Public support for universal second look sentencing, a research note

Paula Smith, Amanda Graham, Francis T. Cullen, Justin T. Pickett, Cheryl Lero Jonson, Kellie R. Hannan, Amanda Pompoco

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Based on a 2023 national YouGov survey (N = 800), we explored public support for universal second look sentencing—the view that all incarcerated individuals, not just those who committed their crimes before they were age 25, should be eligible to have lengthy sentences revisited by judges after serving 15 to 20 years in prison. A majority of Americans supported a universal policy, with only 1 in 5 respondents opposed. Multivariate analyses showed that redeemability is not static but dynamic. It can be earned if incarcerated people signal their reformation by completing rehabilitation programs and receiving a positive recommendation from the warden. Support from the victim (or their family) also matters. Given the public's endorsement, second look sentencing may be a viable policy to address mass incarceration and the problem of extreme prison terms.

Original language	English
Journal	Criminology
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12391
State	Accepted/In press - 2025
Externally published	Yes

Scopus Subject Areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Law

Keywords

mass incarceration
public opinion
redemption
rehabilitation signals
second look sentencing

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1111/1745-9125.12391

Cite this

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title = "Public support for universal second look sentencing, a research note",

abstract = "Based on a 2023 national YouGov survey (N = 800), we explored public support for universal second look sentencing—the view that all incarcerated individuals, not just those who committed their crimes before they were age 25, should be eligible to have lengthy sentences revisited by judges after serving 15 to 20 years in prison. A majority of Americans supported a universal policy, with only 1 in 5 respondents opposed. Multivariate analyses showed that redeemability is not static but dynamic. It can be earned if incarcerated people signal their reformation by completing rehabilitation programs and receiving a positive recommendation from the warden. Support from the victim (or their family) also matters. Given the public's endorsement, second look sentencing may be a viable policy to address mass incarceration and the problem of extreme prison terms.",

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doi = "10.1111/1745-9125.12391",

language = "English",

journal = "Criminology",

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T1 - Public support for universal second look sentencing, a research note

AU - Smith, Paula

AU - Graham, Amanda

AU - Cullen, Francis T.

AU - Pickett, Justin T.

AU - Jonson, Cheryl Lero

AU - Hannan, Kellie R.

AU - Pompoco, Amanda

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Based on a 2023 national YouGov survey (N = 800), we explored public support for universal second look sentencing—the view that all incarcerated individuals, not just those who committed their crimes before they were age 25, should be eligible to have lengthy sentences revisited by judges after serving 15 to 20 years in prison. A majority of Americans supported a universal policy, with only 1 in 5 respondents opposed. Multivariate analyses showed that redeemability is not static but dynamic. It can be earned if incarcerated people signal their reformation by completing rehabilitation programs and receiving a positive recommendation from the warden. Support from the victim (or their family) also matters. Given the public's endorsement, second look sentencing may be a viable policy to address mass incarceration and the problem of extreme prison terms.

AB - Based on a 2023 national YouGov survey (N = 800), we explored public support for universal second look sentencing—the view that all incarcerated individuals, not just those who committed their crimes before they were age 25, should be eligible to have lengthy sentences revisited by judges after serving 15 to 20 years in prison. A majority of Americans supported a universal policy, with only 1 in 5 respondents opposed. Multivariate analyses showed that redeemability is not static but dynamic. It can be earned if incarcerated people signal their reformation by completing rehabilitation programs and receiving a positive recommendation from the warden. Support from the victim (or their family) also matters. Given the public's endorsement, second look sentencing may be a viable policy to address mass incarceration and the problem of extreme prison terms.

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KW - public opinion

KW - redemption

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DO - 10.1111/1745-9125.12391

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Public support for universal second look sentencing, a research note

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

UN SDGs

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