Criminal Justice Reform Survey

Robert Morris University

Institutional Review Board

Approval Date: November 22, 2024

IRB Number: #202411123496

CONSENT TO ACT AS A PARTICIPANT IN A RESEARCH STUDY

TITLE OF STUDY: Reversing Course: Gauging Perceptions of Stakeholders in Criminal Justice System Towards Reform to Decrease Mass Incarceration

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Frank C. Walker II, 412-401-1764, fcwst148@mail.rmu.edu

FACULTY ADVISOR: Dr. Mark Meyers, 412-397-6040, meyersm@rmu.edu

Hello Participant: You are invited to participate in my survey entitled: “Reversing Course: Gauging Perceptions of Stakeholders in Criminal Justice System Towards Reform to Decrease Mass Incarceration”

The purpose of the study is to determine if perceptions of leaders in the criminal justice system could be influenced by being aware of their impact to the criminal justice system.

In this survey, approximately 500 people will be asked to complete a questionnaire about various components of criminal justice reform such as - Eliminating cash bail for non violent offenders- Diversionary programs for first time offenders- Specialty courts to address specific treatment needs.

The questionnaire will take approximately 15-18 minutes to complete and will be divided into three sections after we obtain your demographics:- Education, Employment & Experience- Current Perceptions of Criminal Justice System, Current Criminal Justice Reform efforts.

There is no cost to complete the survey. There will be no compensation of any kind in exchange for participating in this study. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and there are no foreseeable risks associated with this project. However, if you feel uncomfortable answering any questions, you can withdraw from the survey at any time.

Your survey responses will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential.

Once the study is finished, the demographic information, informed consent forms, survey design, and results will be archived in a mini portable hard drive in a secure location for 5 years as per the regulations of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2017), and then they would be properly destroyed.

If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact Frank Walker 412-401-1764 fcwst148@mail.rmu.edu. If you have any questions about your participation in the study, please contact the Robert Morris University Institutional Review Board at 412-397-6227 irb@rmu.edu.

Finally, it is very important to learn your opinions on the issues of criminal justice reform. Your answers could contribute to actual change in the system that could lead to decreased incarceration rates, which could lead to lower taxes and more resources to focus on actual violent offenders in our communities.

VOLUNTARY CONSENT: By clicking on the "OK" button below, I am indicating that I understand the nature and purpose of this research and I agree to

1.How do you Identify?(Required.)

Male

Female

Other (please specify)

3.Please provide the City and State where you live.(Required.)

8.Please provide the City and State where you work.(Required.)

9.Have you or a family member been charged with a crime?(Required.)

Yes

11.How long have your held your current employment position ?(Required.)

12.In total, how long have you worked in the Criminal Justice System?(Required.)

15.Which view most closely represents your current view of the Criminal Justice System?(Required.)

The system is fair

The system is flawed

17.What is the cost to taxpayers to detain someone at your County Jail for 24 hours?(Required.)

19.What is the average amount of time a person is detained at the County Jail awaiting a hearing before a Judge for a probation violation?(Required.)

Less than 6 months

More than 6 months but less than a year

More than a year

Unsure

20.What is the average amount of time a person waits for trial while housed at the County Jail?(Required.)

Less than 6 months.

More than 6 months but less than a year.

More than a year, but less than two years.

More than two years.

21.Which view most closely represents your view on the phrase "Smart on Crime"?(Required.)

Never heard of it.

Heard of it but don't know what it means.

Heard of it, know what it means, but don't think it's needed.

Heard of it, know what it means, and believe it is needed.

22.Which view most closely represents your view on the phrase "War on Drugs"?(Required.)

Never Heard of it.

Heard of it but don't know what it means.

Heard of it, know what it means, but don't think it's needed.

Heard of it, know what it means and believe it's needed.

23.What is your interpretation of the phrase "War on Drugs"?(Required.)

26.Which view most closely represents your view concerning "Overcharging"(Required.)

Never heard of it

Heard of it, but don't know what it means.

Heard of it, know what it means, but don't think it is a problem

Heard of it, know what it means and believe it is a problem

27.What is your understanding of the concept of "Overcharging"?(Required.)

29.Which view most closely represents your view concerning "Criminal Justice Reform"(Required.)

Never heard of it.

Heard of it, but don't know what it means.

Heard of it, know what it means, but don't believe it is needed.

Heard of it, know what it means and believe it is needed.

30.How do you define the phrase "Criminal Justice Reform"?(Required.)

33.If you chose "other" in the previous question, please list that issue here. Use "N/A" if appropriate.

Current Progress,

0 of 36 answered