Those folks at the American Friends Service Committee released results from a poll the organization commissioned, and according to a press release sent out today “voters in Arizona believe criminal justice policies should be cost effective, and they are open to alternative approaches as a means of reducing the state budget. They also in large part believe that publicly-operated prisons do a better job than private ones.”
From the press release:
A pioneering survey has revealed strong support for significant change in Arizona’s criminal justice funding and incarceration policies. The data indicate that, while public safety is a very important issue, voters in Arizona believe criminal justice policies should be cost effective, and they are open to alternative approaches as a means of reducing the state budget. They also in large part believe that publicly-operated prisons do a better job than private ones.
The American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) Arizona office commissioned Flagstaff research firm, GlobaLocal Visions, LLC, to conduct a 600-person telephone survey of likely voters across the state, including 400 from Maricopa County, with a 95% confidence level. Respondents identified as 43% Republican, 36% Democrat, and 21% Independent.
There will be a press conference on Thursday, May 9 on the Capitol Law in Phoenix at 10 a.m. Fred Solop, the principal researcher, will present the survey findings, which include:
When told that Arizona spends $1 billion of its $8.5 billion general fund on prisons, half of Arizona voters (52%) and just under half of Maricopa County voters (48%) say this is too much.
Seventy percent of Arizona voters and Maricopa County voters support reducing prison time for low-risk, non-violent offenders as a budget saving strategy.
A majority of Arizona voters (52%) oppose private corporations running prisons in Arizona.
This article appears in May 2-8, 2013.
Substantial research conducted to show how Arizona can do better with their money. Now let’s see if the powers-elect pay attention and actually support the voters in their quest for better spending of their money and re-direct on educational and other resources needed within our community.
This state has the worst (If you count texas as their own republic) “lock um all up and throw away the key” mentality in the country.
Its about time it be remedied some how some way.
perhaps we can figure out a way to keep certain populations away from ballots and voting booths. just a thought.