“Not In my backyard”: examining the influence of offender program participation, release plan, and personal proximity on mock parole decisions and comfort levels

Abstract

Almost three-quarters of incarcerated individuals in Canada will eventually return to the community. Upon release, many face significant reintegration challenges, with public stigmatization being among the most notable. The current study examined the influence of offender program participation, release plan, and personal proximity on participants’ ratings of likelihood to grant parole and level of comfort with that offender being granted parole. Successful completion of a correctional program and having a release plan in place for work and housing resulted in increased likelihood to grant parole and level of comfort with parole release, Participants were also more comfortable with the offender being granted parole when they were not going to live next-door, which indicates the presence of the Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) effect. Addressing barriers such as the NIMBY effect and identifying factors that promote community acceptance are crucial for fostering compassionate, evidence-informed attitudes and stronger support for reintegration efforts.