Large majorities believe that the U.S. sometimes uses all three when
interrogating suspected terrorists
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Majorities of all adults believe
that the use of torture, secret prison camps outside the U.S., and "rendition"
(defined in the survey as "sending prisoners to be interrogated in countries
where torture is common") are all justified "sometimes" or "often", according
to a new Harris Poll. Specifically:
* 55 percent of all adults believe that rendition (as explained above) is
justified either often (14%) or sometimes (41%), when interrogating
suspected terrorists.
* 60 percent of adults believe that the use of "secret prison camps in
Europe or elsewhere" is justified either often (14%) or sometimes
(46%).
* 52 percent of all adults believe that the use of torture is justified
either often (12%) or sometimes (40%).
These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 1,961 U.S. adults
surveyed online between December 8 and 14, 2005 by Harris Interactive(R).
Much larger majorities -- more than 80 percent of all adults -- believe
that the U.S. uses these methods when interrogating suspected terrorists
sometimes or often. Specifically:
* 82 percent of all adults believe that the U.S. uses rendition, as
defined above, often (25%) or sometimes (58%).
* 81 percent believes that the U.S. uses secret prison camps outside the
country often (23 %) or sometimes (58%).
* 83 percent believe that the U.S. uses torture often (17%) or sometimes
(66%).
These results suggest that Senator John McCain and the large majorities of
both Houses of Congress who supported his opposition to the use of cruel,
inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners do not represent a majority of
the public.
Table 1
HOW OFTEN IS THE USE OF RENDITION, SECRET PRISON CAMPS AND TORTURE JUSTIFIED?
"How often are any of the following justified when interrogating suspected
terrorists?
Base: All Adults
Often Sometimes Never
* "Rendition", Sending % 14 41 45
prisoners to be
interrogated in
countries where
torture is common
* Secret prison camps % 14 46 40
in Europe or elsewhere
* Torture % 12 40 48
Table 2
HOW OFTEN DOES THE u.s. PARTICIPATE IN RENDITION, SECRET PRISON
CAMPS OR TORTURE?
"In your opinion, how often do the intelligence services of the United States
participate in any of the following, when interrogating suspected terrorists?"
Base: All Adults
Often Sometimes Never
* "Rendition", Sending % 25 58 18
prisoners to be
interrogated in
countries where
torture is common
* Secret prison camps % 23 58 19
in Europe or elsewhere
* Torture % 17 66 17
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
The Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between
December 8 and 14, 2005 among 1,961 U.S. adults (aged 18 and over). Figures
for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where
necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the
population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for
respondents' propensity to be online.
In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95
percent certainty that the overall results have a sampling error of plus or
minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire U.S. adult
population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are
several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are
probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They
include refusals to be interviewed (nonresponse), question wording and
question order, and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that
may result from these factors. This online sample was not a probability
sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National
Council on Public Polls.
The Harris Poll(R) #93, December 21, 2005
By Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll(R)
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive Inc. (http://www.harrisinteractive.com), based in
Rochester, New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market
research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for
its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long
recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident
business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with
the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable
and enduring value.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States,
Europe (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its
wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (http://www.novatris.com),
and through an independent global network of affiliate market research
companies. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to
participate in future online surveys, go to http://www.harrispollonline.com.
Press Contact:
Nancy Wong
Harris Interactive
585-214-7316
SOURCE Harris Interactive Inc.
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