Public Support for Universal Second Look Sentencing: A Research Note

Based on a 2023 national-level YouGov survey (N = 800), we explored public support for universal second look sentencing—the view that all incarcerated individuals, not just those under 25, should be eligible to have lengthy sentences revisited by judges after serving 15 to 20 years in prison. A majority of Americans supported a universal policy, with only about 1 in 5 respondents opposed. Multivariate analysis showed that redeemability is not static but dynamic. It can be earned if prisoners signal their reformation by completing rehabilitation programs and receiving a positive recommendation from the warden. Support from the victim (or their family) also matters. Given the public’s endorsement, second look sentencing may be a viable policy for helping to address the problem of extreme prison terms.