Zogby International. Rockefeller Drug Law Poll. April 26 - 28, 1999.
The survey of 700 voters throughout New York State was conducted Monday, April 26 through Wednesday, April 28, 1999. All calls were made from Zogby International headquarters in Utica, New York. The poll has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.8%. Error margins are higher for sub-groups.
Q: New York’s drug laws are among the toughest in the country. There are now thousands of men and women in New York’s prisons serving long sentences for drug possession or selling small amounts of drugs. If your state legislator were to vote in favor of a bill to reduce some sentences, and give judges greater discretion to decide appropriate penalties, would this make you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely, to vote for him or her, or would it make no difference?
Much more likely 29.1
Somewhat more likely 21.2
Somewhat less likely 8.6
Much less likely 16.5
No difference 21.5
Not sure 2.8
Nearly 30 percent of respondents favor granting legislators and judges greater latitude in determining penalties and sentences for drug offenders. The strongest support comes from New York City (33%) and those who live in large cities in general, the 50-64 age group, and college graduates.
Republicans (22.7%), the 50-64 age group and the $50-64,999 income group were much less likely to support legislators or judges who want to reduce penalties on drug offenders.
More than one-third (37.8%) of those in the 18-29 age bracket, African-Americans, and the $15-$24,999 income level say it would make no difference.
Q: Many state legislatures believe that New York’s drug laws are too strict, and result in many non-violent drug offenders serving prison sentences longer than violent criminals. But legislators also fear being labeled "soft on drugs" if they vote for legislation to reduce prison terms for non-violent drug offenders. Do you think anyone who votes for reducing prison terms for drug offenders is "soft on drugs?"
Yes 31.1
No 63.9
Not sure 5.0
A majority in every sub-group, except Hispanics, would not label a legislator "soft" if he/she reduced prison terms. Hispanics were evenly-divided (49.5% say no and 48.7% say yes). Those most in approval were college graduates (71.2%) and those in the $75,000 income bracket (79.2%).
Catholics (37%), 50-64 year-olds, and non-union workers (32.6%) were most opposed to reducing prison terms for drug offenders.
Q: Some people think anyone caught in possession of illegal drugs should be sent to jail or prison. Others think it makes little sense to imprison people for simple drug possession and they should receive treatment instead. Which comes closer to your own opinion – jail or prison, or treatment?
Jail or prison 18.9
Treatment 73.8
Not sure 7.2
Treatment is favored by three-quarters (76.8%) of respondents in New York City, African-Americans, Hispanics, most age groups and income levels, union workers, females, and those who live in large cities. The strongest support for treatment (82.8%) comes from those in the less than $15,000 income bracket.
One-quarter of Republicans (27.3%) and suburbanites prefer jail terms.
|
