Persuading Public Opinion in the Implementation of Decarceration Policies with an Emphasis on Alternative Sentences

Abstract

Today, public opinion serves as a fundamental variable and an invisible yet powerful concept in shaping reactions to crime and influencing the implementation of policies by policymakers in response to criminal activities. Public opinion has significantly diverged from its traditional concept and is now recognized as the subconscious and hidden social conscience in the face of societal events. In this regard, it appears that before implementing any policy, an appropriate groundwork must be established among the public to ensure that the resulting outcomes are beneficial. Among these policies, decarceration strategies and, consequently, alternative sentences are subjects that have faced challenges and failures in Iranian society due to the lack of public persuasion. However, one of the most effective approaches currently adopted in most countries around the world is the use of alternative sentences aimed at implementing decarceration policies. According to findings from Iranian society, this aspect has often been overlooked, and in discussions concerning imprisonment and the implementation of alternative sentences, public persuasion does not hold a defined position; instead, efforts are focused solely on enforcing the law without considering public persuasion. Undoubtedly, the use of strategic programs and the deployment of various effective tools—such as media, education, and the involvement of different organizations—will be highly beneficial and instrumental in raising public awareness and persuading public opinion regarding the implementation of decarceration policies and the promotion of alternative sentences. In this context, attention to religious teachings and the views of jurists can be enlightening and facilitative.