Community Corrections 293They found that those who held some knowledge about community programs
exhibited more positive attitudes toward such initiatives than those who knew
nothing about them. They also found that court personnel expressed more positive
views toward community-based corrections than did the general public. This may
be related to their increased level of knowledge about such programs. It may also
be attributable to an idea expressed by K. A. Carlson (1992). She stated that those
most likely to hold positive attitudes toward prisons in communities are people who
have business interests. Citizens are more likely to perceive them as more negative,
or at least neutral, and those in the social services are more likely to examine
the negative effects. Since the jobs of court personnel center around the issue of
corrections, therefore creating a business interest, job holders may be more likely
to view neighborhood-based corrections as positive.
Elrod and Brown (1996) conducted a study examining public support for com-
munity corrections. They focused solely on electronic house arrest tor minor and
serious offenders. Their findings suggest that more than half of the respondents
felt that offenses such as stealing or damaging property valued at less than $1000,
driving under the influence of alcohol, and technical probation violations were
suitable for electronic house arrest. Respondents were also more likely to support
the program for "minor offenses" if they thought that placing more offenders in
jail would not decrease the amount of these crimes. Violations that respondents
considered least appropriate for electronic house arrest were stealing or damaging
property valued higher than $1000, crimes requiring medical care, selling illegal
drugs, and criminal probation violations. Those participants who did favor using
this program with serious offenders were more likely to be non-White and at least
50 years old. Therefore, public support for electronic house arrest depended on the
nature of the crime that the offender committed. In a study conducted in 1995,
Elrod and Brown (1996) found that the public was more likely to support this pro-
gram if it was used in conjunction with incarcerating the offender for a period of
time.
From these investigations one can tell that there is no straightforward answer
for how to obtain support from local citizens for correctional programs. Various
factors are involved in the process. P. Harris and Smith (1996) believe that gaining
public support revolves around money. They stated that in order to convince the
community to accept a program, information must be provided regarding the costs
of incarceration and how rising costs are affecting other services. They also believe
that in order to increase the chance of beginning a new program, there must be
a close fit between the program and the community in which it is to be placed.
In other words, do not try to implement a program that endorses practices and
policies inconsistent with community beliefs. Cook (1997) also indicated increased
sensitivity to neighborhood norms and concerns. He suggested that more education
should be developed and that efforts to increase contact with neighbors may provide
some positive experiences. Wenocur and Belcher (1990) cautioned developers of
group homes to become familiar with a community's culture and sociopolitical
composition and to be careful about which residents they inform and when they