12M Evaluate the success of custodial responses to crime.

Question 1

custodial high reoffending rates

Answer 1

• It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This can be seen in terms of the high reoffending rates after [short term] custodial sentences.
• Evidence of this is according to GOV.UK in July 2023, adults released from Custodial sentences of less than 12 months had a proven reoffending rate of 55.1%.
• However, it can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent as reoffending rates amongst those serving sentences longer than 12 months are substantially lower than those serving less than 12 months.
• Evidence of this is according to GOV.UK in July 2023 those with sentence of 12 month or more reoffend at a low rate of 21.7%
• In evaluation, it can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent as although custodial sentences have high reoffending rates as over a half of adults released from custodial sentences go onto reoffend which shows they might not be fully successful.
• Nevertheless, it can be argued custodial sentences are successful responses to crime as those serving longer sentences of more than a year have a low reoffending rate which shows custodial sentences are successful to an extent.

Question 2

custodial cost

Answer 2

• It can be argued that custodial responses are not fully successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This is because the amount of money budgeted by the government spent on housing prisoners is extremely high.
• Evidence shows that from 2022- 23 the budget Scotland allocated was around £3 billion for criminal justice, in 2024 to imprison someone cost the taxman £37,000.
• It can be argued that custodial sentences are not fully successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This is because large amounts of money are spent on custodial sentences for each individual prisoner.
• Evidence of this is according to Statista 2023 the average cost of a prison place in England and Wales was £46,696 a year.
• In evaluation, it can be argued that custodial sentences are not successful responses to crime to an extent. As it costs a significant amount of money to send a criminal to prison in 2023.
• Furthermore, custodial sentences are not successful to an extent because too much is being spent on keeping prisoners in prisons and not enough on other important issues.

Question 3

custodial health and safety

Answer 3

• It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This can be seen in terms of health and safety as prisons are generally heavily overcrowded.
• This is evident when the BBC highlighted in January 2019 that HMP Brian Kinloch in Perth remained awaiting trial as he was one of the 662 prisoners in Perth when he went in, but the prison capacity was 630 according to bbc.co.uk.
• However, it can be argued custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This is because tougher prison sentences can reduce crime and deter criminals from committing crimes which would lessen the prison population.
• Evidence of this is a study by academics at Birmingham University in 2022 found an increase in the average sentence for burglaries from 15.4 months to 16.4 months would reduce burglaries in the following year by 4,800 out of an annual total of 962,700.
• In evaluation custodial sentences are a successful response to crime to an extent as although Perth Prison is overcrowded which can be considered an infringement on the prisoners human rights as it is unsafe.
• Nevertheless, custodial sentences are successful as if prison sentences became tougher crime would reduce as discovered by a study at Birmingham University and there would be less people annually being placed in prison.

Question 4

custodial serious crimes

Answer 4

• It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This is because when considering the most serious crimes committed, custodial sentences can be effective by depriving someone of their freedom and is therefore a good form of punishment.
• This is effective because it is a form of justice that can help the victim to achieve closure if they feel that the prison is a fair punishment.
• Evidence of this is the killers of Brianna Ghey, who are both aged 16 have been sentenced to life in prison due to the brutal and planned murder they carried out in February 2023.
• It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
• This is effective because it is a form of justice that can help the victim to achieve closure if they feel that the prison is a fair punishment.
• This is evident in the Karen Buckley case when her murderer Alexander Pacteau must serve a minimum of 23 years before he can apply for parole.
• In Evaluation, custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent. Although custodial punishment helps the victim and their families be reassured that they are getting justice on their offender.
• Additionally, Karen Buckleys family also got reassurance by their offender being jailed for years, knowing he cannot attack anyone else in the way he attacked her.