Environics Poll - Survey Results - Alberta Summit On Justice

Survey Results: Environics Poll

FOCUS ALBERTA 1997: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Summary of the Environics West Poll of Albertans on the Justice System

1. To the best of your knowledge, which level of government is responsible for the administration of justice in Alberta?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Federal government 29% 29%

Provincial government 54% 60%

Municipal government 7% 4%

All three equally 2% *

Other combination 3% 1%

Other * *

None / Nothing * *

Refuse, Don't Know 4% 4%

* Less than 1%

Albertans are somewhat knowledgeable about jurisdiction levels in the justice system. On average, 60% of the regions surveyed stated the provincial government was responsible for the administration of justice in Alberta. This is a 6% increase over the previous year.

2. Apart from government and the various police forces, who else do you believe should have a role in the justice system?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL 1

1996 1997

Business * *

Community service organizations 4% 6%

Communities 10% 10%

Families 3% 4%

Individuals 29% 34%

The public / people / A committee of the people 13% 11%

No one 10% 17%

Victims of crime 5% 4%

Lawyers 2% 3%

Parents 2% *

The educational system / educators 2% 3%

The judicial system 2% -

Judges 1% 1%

Social workers 1% *

Natives / A native committee * *

Church / church officials * 1%

Military / army * -

Other 4% 5%

Refuse, Don't Know 23% 15%

* Less than 1%
1 This is a multiple response question, therefore the column does not add up to 100%
- No response

Apart from government, there was a moderately strong belief that individuals (34%), the "general public" (11%), and communities (10%) had an important role to play.
34% of urban residents and 33% of rural residents felt that individuals should have a role in the justice system.

3.The provincial government is primarily responsible for the administration of the justice system in Alberta. How well do you believe the government is handling:

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL
1997

Very
Well Well Badly Very
Badly Refuse,
Don't Know

Supervising persons on probation 2%
(1%) 27%
(28%) 47%
(47%) 14%
(15%) 10%
(10%)

Rehabilitating offenders 3%
(3%) 29%
(23%) 47%
(51%) 15%
(14%) 6%
(9%)

Promoting crime prevention 12%
(15%) 59%
(57%) 22%
(22%) 4%
(4%) 3%
(2%)

Protecting the public from offenders 6%
(4%) 42%
(42%) 38%
(39%) 12%
(14%) 2%
(1%)

Assisting victims of crime 6%
(6%) 29%
(31%) 44%
(41%) 14%
(14%) 7%
(8%)

Responses for 1996 are indicated in brackets.

71% of Albertans felt that the government had promoted crime prevention "Well" or "Very well."
Only 32% of those surveyed felt that the government had rehabilitated offenders "Well" or "Very well." This is a 6% increase over the previous year.

4.Generally speaking, how satisfied are you with the job that the Alberta Department of Justice is doing?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1995 1996 1997

Very satisfied 7% 4% 4%

Somewhat satisfied 42% 47% 48%

Somewhat dissatisfied 30% 38% 34%

Not at all satisfied 18% 11% 12%

Refuse, Don't Know 3% * 1%

* Less than 1%

In comparison to the Public Survey done in 1996, the number of Albertans who were "Very satisfied" or "Somewhat satisfied" increased marginally from 51% to 52% in 1997. (This difference is not statistically significant.)
Males and females were almost equal in their responses to how satisfied they felt the Alberta Department of Justice was doing.
The even split between satisfied and dissatisfied respondents was consistent between Edmonton, Calgary, small cities, urban and rural.

5. Which of the following do you think should be the government's most important spending priority in terms of the administration of justice?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Supervising persons on probation 4% 3%

Promoting crime prevention 15% 20%

Rehabilitating offenders 11% 11%

Protecting the public from offenders 31% 31%

Catching law breakers 18% 20%

Assisting victims of crime 5% 9%

All equally important 5% 3%

Other combinations equally important 10% 4%

None / nothing * *

Refuse, Don't Know * *

Other * *

Convicted individuals should serve their
whole sentence / longer sentences * -

* Less than 1%
-No response

Of the spending priorities of government, most persons felt that the protection of the public (31%), catching law breakers (20%), promoting crime prevention (20%), and rehabilitating offenders (11%) were the most important priorities.
The percentage of Albertans stating "promoting crime prevention" and "assisting victims of crime" as priorities has increased significantly from 1996 to 1997 (5% and 4% respectively).

6. How satisfied are you with the level of policing in Alberta?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1995 1996 1997

Very satisfied 31% 20% 19%

Somewhat satisfied 51% 60% 59%

Somewhat dissatisfied 12% 16% 17%

Not at all satisfied 6% 4% 5%

Refuse, Don't Know * * *

* Less than 1%

The satisfaction with the level of policing was consistently high throughout the various regions in Alberta. Respondents that were "Very satisfied" or "Somewhat satisfied" ranged from 77% (Edmonton) to 80% (Rural and small cities).
The responses by men and women were very similar and consistent with the provincial totals.
Albertans who had not been victims of crime were more likely to be satisfied (82%) with the level of policing than those who were victims of crime (68%).

7. How satisfied are you that the criminal justice system generally makes the right decisions about who is guilty and who is innocent?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very satisfied 16% 14%

Somewhat satisfied 51% 59%

Somewhat dissatisfied 21% 17%

Not at all satisfied 9% 7%

Refuse, Don't Know 4% 3%

73% of Albertans were "Very satisfied" or "Somewhat satisfied" that the criminal justice system generally made the right decisions about who was guilty and who was innocent.

8. How much confidence do you have in the courts and the legal system?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

A lot of confidence 11% 12%

Some confidence 54% 58%

Very little confidence 34% 30%

Refuse, Don't Know * *

* Less than 1%

The majority of respondents had "Some confidence" or "A lot of confidence" in the courts and the legal system (70%). This marks a 5% improvement from the 1996 survey.

9. Which of the following do you believe is the most important reason for sending convicted individuals to jail?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Punish them 16% 18%

Rehabilitate them 13% 14%

Protect the public 43% 47%

Deter others from committing crime 11% 12%

All four equally important 6% 4%

Other combination equally most important 10% 4%

Other * *

None of the above * *

Refuse, Don't Know * *

* Less than 1%

47% of respondents who had been victims of crime felt that protecting the public was very important compared to 48% of respondents who had not been victims of crime. While there was a 6% difference in the 1996 survey, the percentage of respondents between victim and non-victim was almost equal in the 1997 survey results.
53% of female respondents were more likely to feel that the protection of the public was more important in sending convicted individuals to jail compared to 42% of male respondents.
49% of Calgary respondents felt that public protection was important whereas only 44% of Edmontonians surveyed felt the same.

10. In general, how satisfied are you that the sentences match the crime?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very satisfied 2% 2%

Somewhat satisfied 22% 23%

Somewhat dissatisfied 39% 39%

Not at all satisfied 37% 34%

Refuse, Don't Know * 2%

* Less than 1%

Only 25% of those surveyed were "Somewhat satisfied" or "Very satisfied" that the sentences match the crime. The majority were "Somewhat dissatisfied" or "Not at all satisfied" (73%).

11. Regarding the amount of time that individuals convicted of crimes spend in jail, do you generally think it is:

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Too long 1% 2%

About right 14% 17%

Too short 76% 74%

Depends (e.g. on type of crime) 8% 6%

Refuse, Don't Know 2% 1%

All regions surveyed felt that individuals had not spent enough time in jail. 77% of rural respondents followed by respondents in Edmonton (76%), Calgary (70%) and the smaller cities (69%) felt that the time individuals spent in jail was too short. A substantial drop occurred in the percentage for smaller cities from 78% in 1996 to 69% in 1997. The figures for urban and rural respondents who felt that the time individuals spent in jail was too short reversed between 1997 and 1996. The figures were 77% (urban) and 72% (rural) for 1996 and 72% (urban) and 77% (rural) for 1997.

12. How serious a problem would you say crime is in your community today?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very serious 9% 11%

Somewhat serious 48% 43%

Not very serious 37% 38%

Not at all serious 7% 8%

Refuse, Don't Know * *

* Less than 1%

52% of Albertans in small cities said crime in their community was "Somewhat serious" followed by Edmonton (45%), Calgary (42%) and rural areas (37%).
Albertans were split as to whether or not they thought crime was a serious problem; 54% thought it was "Very serious" or " Somewhat serious" and 46% thought it was "Not at all serious" or "Not very serious."

13. How do you think the amount of crime in your community today compares with other areas in Alberta?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Much higher 3% 3%

Somewhat higher 13% 16%

About the same 42% 39%

Somewhat lower 31% 30%

Much lower 10% 10%

Depends * *

Refuse, Don't Know 1% 2%

Rural (35%) and urban (41%) residents felt that crime in their community had been "About the same" when compared to other areas in Alberta.
More persons thought crime was "Somewhat lower" or "Much lower" in their community (40%) than being "Much higher" or "Somewhat higher" (19%).

14. In the last several years, do you think crime in your community has:

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Increased substantially 15% 17%

Increased somewhat 42% 39%

Remained the same 34% 34%

Decreased somewhat 7% 8%

Decreased substantially * *

Depends * *

Refuse, Don't Know 1% 2%

* Less than 1%

56% of individuals surveyed felt that crime in their community had "Increased somewhat"or "Increased substantially" whereas only 8% felt that crime had "Decreased somewhat" or "Decreased substantially."

15.What specific types of crime are you most concerned about in the neighbourhood in which you currently live?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL 1

1995 1996 1997

Theft / break-ins (home) 40% 79% 79%

Robbery (personal) 6% 22% 41%

Vandalism / property destruction 18% 50% 69%

Spousal Assault / abuse * 18% 35%

Child abuse / abductions 5% 27% 39%

Assaults / muggings 5% 20% 34%

Sexual assaults 3% 26% 40%

Drug dealings / drug abuse 3% 21% 45%

Homicides / killings 1% 14% 23%

Purse snatching 1% 9% 20%

Shoplifting * 15% 45%

Young offenders / young offenders crime 8% * *

Drinking / Drunk driving n/a * 2%

Traffic violations 7% * 2%

Break-ins to car / car theft 1% * 2%

Other 7% 1% 3%

None / Nothing 29% * 4%

Refuse, Don't Know 1% * -

* Less than 1%
n/a This response was not included in the 1995 Public Survey
1 This is a multiple response question, therefore the column does not add up to 100%.
- No response

all crimes, with the exception of break-ins, drunk driving and traffic violations has increased significantly from 1996 to 1997.
Respondents who had been victims of crime were more concerned with each of the crimes listed above compared to non-victims of crime.
In the 1995, 1996 and 1997 Public Surveys, theft/break-ins to homes (79%) was the type of crime most Albertans were concerned about in their neighbourhood.
Major urban centre residents were more concerned about theft/break-ins (81%) than small cities and rural residents (76%).

16. How concerned are you about each of the following crimes in your neighbourhood?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL
1997

Very
concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Refuse, Don't know

Break-ins 45%
(48%) 41%
(40%) 11%
(10%) 3%
(2%) *
-

Spousal abuse 24%
(26%) 38%
(34%) 24%
(27%) 12%
(12%) 1%
(2%)

Child abuse 39%
(44%) 32%
(27%) 20%
(20%) 8%
(8%) *
(2%)

Thefts 36%
(41%) 50%
(48%) 11%
(9%) 3%
(1%) *
(*)

Illegal use of drugs 29%
(33%) 35%
(32%) 23%
(23%) 12%
(12%) *
(*)

Sexual assault/abuse 36%
(38%) 32%
(34%) 23%
(20%) 9%
(7%) *
(*)

* Less than 1%
Responses for 1996 are shown in brackets.
- No Response

Respondents were "Very concerned" or "Somewhat concerned" with theft and break-ins in their neighbourhood (86% respectively).

17. How safe do you feel in your own home?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1995 1996 1997

Very safe 50% 51% 60%

Somewhat safe 43% 45% 37%

Not very safe 5% 3% 3%

Not safe at all 2% 1% *

* Less than 1%

The percentage of people who feel very safe in their homes has increased significantly (9%) from 51% in 1996 to 60% in 1997.
Respondents from small cities and rural areas felt "Very safe" (70%), even more so than the consistently high responses throughout the various regions in Alberta. Respondents from big cities such as Edmonton and Calgary (95% respectively) felt as safe as those respondents in rural regions (97%).
Both males and females (97% and 95% respectively) felt "Very safe" or "Somewhat safe" in their own homes in 1997 as compared to (95% and 92%) in the 1995 Public Survey.

18. How comfortable are you walking alone at night in your neighbourhood?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very comfortable 38% 41%

Somewhat comfortable 36% 35%

Not very comfortable 15% 14%

Not at all comfortable 10% 10%

Refuse, Don't Know * *

* Less than 1%

All Alberta regions surveyed felt "Very comfortable" or "Somewhat comfortable" walking alone at night in their neighbourhood (76%). This was interesting considering 56% of individuals felt that crime in their community had increased (See Question #14).

19. How many times, if at all, have you yourself been a victim of crime in the past year?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1995 1996 1997

One 12% 13% 15%

Two 5% 7% 6%

Three 2% 1% 2%

Four 1% * *

Five n/a * *

Five or more 1% n/a n/a

Six n/a * -

Seven n/a * -

Ten n/a * -

None 80% 77% 75%

* Less than 1%
- Totals do not add up to 100% due to the rounding of figures.
n/a These responses were not included in the 1995, 1996 or the 1997 Public Survey.

The responses by men and women were very similar and consistent with the provincial totals in the 1995, 1996 and 1997 Public Surveys.
72% of urban respondents stated they had not been victims of crime in the past year compared with 84% of rural respondents.
As the age of the respondents increased, so did the likelihood that they were not victimized in the past year. 91% of respondents aged 65 or older reported they were not victimized in the past year. However, only 55% of respondents aged 18-24 stated that they had not been victimized in the past year.

20. Did you report this (most recent) crime to the police?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Yes 65% 67%

No 36% 33%

71% of Calgary residents reported their crimes followed by 70% of rural residents, 66% of Edmonton residents and 56% of residents in smaller cities.
Respondents who were between the ages of 45-64 reported being victims of crimes to the police (80%) more often than those respondents who were 65+ (67%). A substantial increase (42%) was realized in the age group 65+ between 1996 and 1997 indicating that seniors are more readily reporting being victims of crime to the police.

21. How satisfied were you with how the police handled your report?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very satisfied 33% 27%

Somewhat satisfied 24% 28%

Somewhat dissatisfied 16% 22%

Not at all satisfied 26% 23%

55% of individuals surveyed were "Very satisfied" or "Somewhat satisfied" with how the police handled their report.

22. How closely do you generally follow crime-related issues and stories in the media?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very closely 27% 23%

Somewhat closely 54% 53%

Not very closely 15% 19%

Not at all closely 4% 5%

The majority of respondents surveyed followed crime-related issues and stories in the media " Very closely" or " Somewhat closely" (76%).

23. Where do you tend to get information about crime issues of interest?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL1

1996 1997

Television 77% 75%

Radio 32% 36%

Newspapers 81% 81%

Magazines 4% 4%

Friends / family members 13% 17%

Word of mouth 3% 3%

Blockwatch / blockwatch
newsletters / community groups 2% 1%

Neighbours 2% *

Police / police department 2% 2%

Co-workers 1% 2%

Police information recording * 1%

School / teachers / students * -

Other 2% 3%

Refuse, Don't Know * -

* Less than 1%
1 This is a multiple response question, therefore the column does not add up to 100%.
- No response

24. How accurately do you feel the media covers crime stories?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Very accurately 14% 13%

Somewhat accurately 66% 66%

Not very accurately 16% 15%

Not at all accurately 2% 3%

Depends 2% *

Refuse, Don't Know * 2%

* Less than 1%

25. Do you think the media pays the right amount of attention to crime issues?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1996 1997

Too much 34% 34%

About right 51% 48%

Too little 12% 15%

Refuse, Don't Know 3% 3%

The observation below applies to Questions #23, #24 and #25:

Most Albertans obtained their crime news from the newspapers (81%), television (75%), and radio (36%). The media had a high perceived credibility - 79% thought the media was very accurate or somewhat accurate. Interestingly, 34% of Albertans thought the media spent too much time on crime issues versus 15% who thought they spent too little time on them.

26.What actions do you believe will be most effective in reducing the level of crime?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL 1

1996 1997

Increasing crime prevention 12% 13%

Providing more police officers and correctional centres 17% 22%

Tougher sentencing 35% 37%

Increasing rehabilitation programs 8% 7%

Passing more legislation 2% 3%

Increasing social programs e.g.: education, job training, drug treatment, recreation, job creation 20% 23%

Public / community awareness / neighbours watching out for each other / blockwatch 11% 9%

More attention / revamp YOA / youth
tried in adult court 9% 7%

More emphasis on family / parents need to be more responsible / more discipline 8% 5%

Reinstate capital punishment / capital punishment
as a deterrent 5% 4%

Serve full sentence / too many offenders get early parole / no parole / monitor parolees 5% 2%

More education / educate in schools 5% 3%

Punishment needs to fit the crime / appropriate sentencing for the crime / restitution
made in some cases 4% 2%

More visible police force / better police presence 3% 3%

Public awareness of convicted criminals / publish names of criminals 3% 3%

Harder time in prison / make jail less comfortable / work camps / no television, smoking, music 3% 1%

People take responsibility for own property / take precautions for own safety 2% 1%

More rights / emphasis placed on victims 2% -

Efficiency / consistency within judicial / court system 2% 1%

Parents being held responsible / accountable for children's crimes 1% -

Corporal punishment / lashing / caning
(especially young offenders) 1% *

Reduce unemployment / poverty
(increase standard of living) * 1%

Less / more appropriate media coverage * 2%

Police need to focus more on serious crime,
not on speeding tickets * -

Greater social equality / equal opportunity for all citizens * -

Three Strikes You're Out policy * -

Other 4% 12%

Refuse, Don't Know 6% 6%

* Less than 1%
1 This is a multiple response question, therefore the column does not add up to 100%.
- No response

The increase in percentage of respondents (5%) who believe that having more police officers and correctional centres would be effective in reducing crime has increased significantly from 17% in 1996 to 22% in 1997.
Of the actions to reduce crime, 37% of the public felt that tougher sentencing was the most appropriate action, followed by increasing social programs (23%), providing more police officers and correctional centres (22%) and crime prevention (13%).

27. How effective do you believe the following actions will be in reducing the level of crime?

POSSIBLE RESPONSES PROVINCIAL TOTAL
1997

Very
effective Somewhat effective Not very effective Not at all effective Refuse, Don't Know

Increasing crime prevention 35%
(37%) 55%
(52%) 8%
(8%) 2%
(2%) 2%
(2%)

Providing more police officers and correctional centres 34%
(30%) 44%
(47%) 15%
(17%) 5%
(5%) 1%
(1%)

Tougher sentencing 51%
(55%) 35%
(31%) 9%
(10%) 4%
(4%) 1%
(1%)

Increasing rehabilitation programs 22%
(21%) 51%
(49%) 19%
(22%) 7%
(7%) 1%
(2%)

Passing more legislation 17%
(18%) 38%
(38%) 30%
(27%) 12%
(15%) 3%
(3%)

Increasing social programs such as education, job training, drug treatment, recreation, and job creation 48%
(45%) 39%
(41%) 9%
(10%) 3%
(3%) *
(*)

* Less than 1%
Responses for 1996 are shown in brackets

The percentage of respondents who believe that providing more police officers and correctional centres would be very effective in reducing crime has increased from 30% in 1996 to 34% in 1997.
Actions that would be "Very effective" or "Somewhat effective" in reducing the level of crime would be increasing crime prevention (90%) followed by increasing social programs (87%), tougher sentencing (86%), providing more police officers and correctional centres (78%), increasing rehabilitation programs (73%), and passing more legislation (55%).

Summary prepared by Alberta Justice Corporate Support Services

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