This February 2012 issue brief contained information on a survey on public attitudes on crime and punishment in Georgia. On behalf of the Pew Center on the States, Public Opinion Strategies and The Mellman Group conducted phone interviews with 600 likely Georgia voters on January 19-23, 2012. The survey has a margin of error of +4.0%. The margin of error is higher for subgroups.
Georgia voters want a public safety system that holds criminals accountable and keeps communities safe. They believe such a system is possible while reducing the size and scope of the prison system, and they strongly support reinvesting prison savings into alternatives. Georgia voters, across party lines, support specific policies that would divert offenders from prison, shorten prison terms, and strengthen community supervision.