AC 2.3-assess how forms of punishment meet the aims of punishment Flashcards
What are the five aims of sentencing according to the Criminal Justice Act 2003?
1) Retribution
2) Crime reduction through deterrence
3) Rehabilitation
4) Protection of the public
5) Reparation to victims
What are the four types of sentencing frameworks?
1) Imprisonment
2) Community sentences
3) Fines
4) Discharges
Almost half of all prisoners in the UK were convicted for what crime?
Sex or violence offences
What are three kinds of prison sentences?
1) Indeterminate and life sentences
2) Determinate sentences
3) Suspended sentences
What is a life sentence?
The most serious punishment a UK court can give
After serving the minimum sentence, what happens to the offender?
They are considered for release by the parole board
If an offender is safe and suitable for release, what happens to them?
They are released on licence, have to follow a specific set of conditions and be supervised by the probation service
For how long is the offender on licence for after being released from prison?
For the rest of their life and if they break any of the conditions they will be sent back to jail
When are mandatory life sentences given?
When a person is found guilty of murder
When are discretionary life sentences given?
For other serious offences eg. rape
What does sentencing an offender to a whole life term mean?
The offender will never be released back into the public
What are indeterminate sentences?
A minimum time the offender must serve in prison, they have no automatic right to be released after serving this minimum term
How many prisoners were serving indeterminate sentences in 2018?
Around 10,000 prisoners, which make up 14% of the prison population
What are determinate sentences?
A sentence with a fixed length which you need to serve
How many prisoners in the UK serve a determinate sentence as of 2021?
65,000-70,000 prisoners
In most cases, not all the sentence is served in prison. Why is this? (3 points)
1) If the sentence is <12 months, the offender is typically released halfway through
2) If the sentence is >12 months, the offender spends first 1/2 in prison and the other 1/2 in the community on licence but could be recalled back into prison if any conditions are broken
3) Offenders sentenced to <2 years are released om post sentence supervision for 12 months including regular probation meetings
What is a suspended sentence?
The offender is given a sentence but isn’t sent to prison immediately
When would an offender receive a suspended sentence?
If otherwise they would have been given a sentence <12 months
How long can suspended sentences last up for?
They can last up to 2 years
What can the court impose in a suspended sentence?
Probation or drug addiction treatment
In 2019, how many convicted of an indictable offence got a suspended sentence?
About 15% of convicted of an indictable offence got a suspended sentence
What is retribution?
Idea that offending deserves to be punished and that the punishment should fit the crime
Does imprisonment meet its punishment aims regarding retribution?
Yes -> prison punishes prisoners for their crimes by withdrawing freedom
No -> difficult to determine whether prisoners get their ‘just deserts’ eg. does the length of the sentence fit the crime?
What is deterrence?
Does imprisonment meet its punishment aims regarding deterrence?
Yes -> risk of being sent to prison may deter potential criminals
What is public protection (incapacitation)?
Does imprisonment meet its punishment aims regarding public protection (incapacitation)?
What is reparation?
Does imprisonment meet its punishment aims regarding reparation?
What is rehabilitation?
Does imprisonment meet its punishment aims regarding rehabilitation?
