PERCEPTIONS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

Of the 17.2 million Australians aged 18 years and over (Endnote 1) represented by the survey, it was estimated that approximately three-quarters or more of people agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements about their state or territory police:

· The police treat people fairly (63% and 17% respectively).
· The police are approachable and easy to talk to (64% and 18% respectively).
· The police enforce the law (67% and 13% respectively).
· The police ensure public safety (71% and 16% respectively).
· The police can be relied upon (61% and 13% respectively).

People were more likely to strongly agree that the police were approachable and easy to talk to than any other statement and more likely to agree that police ensure public safety than any other statement.

2011-12 Perceptions of the Police(a), Australia

Footnotes
(a) Excludes federal police in all states and territories except ACT.

Of Australians aged 18 years and over varied more in their perceptions of the criminal courts:

· Over 56% agreed or strongly agreed that the criminal courts ensure a fair trial (53% and 3.9% respectively).
· Over 35% agreed or strongly agreed that the criminal courts are effective in giving punishments which fit the crime (33% and 2.9% respectively), but 43% disagreed or strongly disagreed about this statement (32% and 11% respectively).
· Over 22% agreed or strongly agreed that the criminal courts deal with matters quickly (21% and 1.3% respectively), but over 45% disagreed or strongly disagreed about this statement (37% and 8.6% respectively).

People were more likely to agree or strongly agree that the criminal courts ensure a fair trial than any other statement.

2011-12 Perceptions of the Criminal Courts, Australia


Over 61% of Australians aged 18 years and over agreed or strongly agreed that the prisons act as a form of punishment (53% and 8.5% respectively). People were less likely to agree or strongly agree that the prisons rehabilitate prisoners (27% and 1.6% respectively), with nearly 42% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with this statement (35% and 6.9% respectively)

2011-12 Perceptions of the Prisons, Australia


Respondents in the survey were asked how their views about the police, the criminal courts and the prisons were influenced, with respondents able to identify one or more external influence.

The views people held about the criminal courts and the prisons were more likely to be influenced by the media (72% and 74% respectively) than their views of the police (55%). Nearly half (48%) of people stated their views of the police were influenced by their personal contact with the police, which was greater than those who said their views of the criminal courts and the prisons were influenced by their own contact (14% and 8.5% respectively). Around a third of people said their views were influenced by information from others about the police (36%), the criminal courts (30%) and the prisons (30%).

2011-12 Sources of Information which Influenced Views of the Justice System, Australia


Endnote

1. While this question was asked of all respondents aged 15 years and over, data has only been published for those 18 years and over. The responses of respondents aged 15 to 17 years may have been provided by a proxy respondent (such as a parent) and as this is a perception based question it was not asked of proxies.

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