Is government escaping blame? the effect of contracting and victim attributes in a prisoner transportation experiment

Abstract

By comparing respondent’s perceptions of blame for the death of a prisoner and a non-prisoner, we explore whether the fundamental principle of equal protection under the law is possible. We examine reactions to a vignette experiment that varies whether a prison transport was conducted by a contractor or directly provided by the government, and whether the victim was another prisoner or a bystander. Drawing on literature regarding blame avoidance, citizens blame government less for contracted service failures. In contrast to social identity theory expectations, respondents place greater blame to the government and guards when the victim is a prisoner.