Information Provision, cultural predispositions and public opinion on suspended sentences in the Netherlands

The present paper re-examines the relationship between information provision and opinions about suspended sentences using the data set of the representative sample of the Dutch population from the study by van Gelder et al. (2011). Their research has shown that providing information about suspended sentences doesn’t lead to more positive attitudes or beliefs in their effectiveness. This study brings up the question why there was no effect found? From the perspective of cultural sociology and framing theory it argues that lack of knowledge is not in charge for all the negative opinions towards suspended sentences, but that cultural predispositions and the level of education are important in shaping public opinions, especially about the topics people are less aware of. Our findings show that information is translated into more support and greater believe in effectiveness of suspended sentences by people who are highly restorative and rehabilitative oriented. The level of education and punitive attitudes of the respondents did not reveal any significant results. These findings bring to a conclusion that provision of information is only effective for those categories of respondents who are already supportive for postponing the sentence.