11 What Works?

Question 1

Compared recidivism among offenders sentenced to

Answer 1

Different types of penalty

Question 2

‘Penal pessimism’ =

Answer 2

We can’t ‘cure’ offenders

Question 3

Criticised for over-generalising from research on white men, leading to research on:

Answer 3

minority ethnic offenders and to proposals for distinctive provision for women offenders

Question 4

1974 Martinson - US academic pronounced:

Answer 4

‘Nothing works’

Question 5

Probation/prison practice reforms - refer to…

Answer 5

Evidence of ‘what works’

Question 6

‘Reducing reoffending action plan’ (Home Office) identified 7 pathways for the development of services to support resettlement and rehabilitation:

Answer 6

1) Accommodation
2) Education, training, employment
3) Mental/physical health
4) Drugs/alcohol
5) Finance, benefits & debt
6) Children and families of offenders
7) Attitudes, thinking and behaviour

Question 7

Recidivism =

Answer 7

Reoffending

Question 8

Proven recidivism rate =

Answer 8

Reconviction - go through process again (guilt recognised)

Question 9

5 disadvantages of proven recidivism rate:

Answer 9

1) Not a general measurement (narrows field considerably)
2) Reflects offences that have been successfully reported, recorded and successfully prosecuted only
3) Low conviction rates for some crimes
4) Victims/CPS may drop out
5) Police NFA

Question 10

What is the EVIDENCE BASE?

Answer 10

Usually taken as the measure of whether a particular form of punishment ‘works’