Community Sentiment Toward Parole Release Decisions Vary Based on Age and Illness of the Incarcerated Person

Objectives: Many incarcerated people are aging, and many experience illness. However, community sentiment about releasing elderly or ill prisoners is not well understood and might vary by a person’s beliefs about punishment or life stage (students, community members). The study’s main objectives are to assess whether community sentiment about parole varies by the incarcerated person’s characteristics (age, illness), the sample (students, community members), and Punishment Orientation Questionnaire (POQ) score. Methods: Mock parole board members (N = 195) read fifteen randomly ordered vignettes varying in age and illness of the incarcerated person and indicated whether each incarcerated person should be released. Results: We found moderately strong support for parole—especially for incarcerated people who were older or had physical illness. However, participants were less likely to release prisoners with Schizophrenia. Students were less supportive of parole overall than the community members. Specifically, community members’ scores on two of the four POQ subscales predicted decisions, whereas student participants’ scores did not. Conclusions: Community sentiment is critical if leaders are to represent their constituents. Policymakers should consider parole for incarcerated people who are older or have physical illnesses. Individual differences (e.g., life stage, POQ score) relate to sentiment. More research is needed as to how to address the issue of illness and aging in prison. Results have implications for policymakers, psychology, and community sentiment research.