AC 2.3: Assess how forms of punishment meet the aims of punishment Flashcards
What is a life sentence?
The most serious punishment in the UK. A judge sets a minimum time before parole eligibility, and offenders remain on licence for life if released.
What percentage of the UK prison population serves life sentences?
Around 14%, the highest in Europe (2018 data).
What is a mandatory life sentence?
A compulsory life sentence for murder. Judges can also impose discretionary life sentences for other serious offences like rape.
. What is a whole life sentence?
A sentence where the offender will never be released.
What is an indeterminate sentence?
A sentence with a minimum term, after which the Parole Board decides if release is possible.
What are IPP sentences
indeterminate sentences that were available in England and Wales from 2005 to 2012. They were used for offenders who were considered dangerous but whose crimes weren’t serious enough for a life sentence
What happened to IPP sentences?
Introduced in 2003, declared unlawful in 2012, but 2,600 prisoners were still serving them in 2018.
What is a determinate sentence?
fixed-length prison sentence. Most UK prisoners serve determinate sentences.
How are determinate sentences served?
- If 12+ months, offenders serve half in prison and half on licence.
• If under 2 years, they get 12 months of post-sentence supervision.
What is a suspended sentence?
: A prison sentence of up to 2 years that is not immediately served, but the offender must comply with conditions (e.g., drug rehab). If they re-offend, they serve the original sentence.
What are the 5 aims of punishment
1) retribution
2) deterence
3) public protections
4) reparation
5) rehabilitation
How does imprisonment achieve retribution?
It punishes offenders by removing their freedom and imposing harsh living conditions.
Why might prison fail to achieve retribution?
Society disagrees on what constitutes a fair sentence length for different crimes.
How should imprisonment act as a deterrent?
The threat of prison should prevent potential offenders from committing crimes and discourage re-offenders.
Why is prison not an effective deterrent?
Nearly half of all prisoners re-offend within a year of release.
Why doesn’t deterrence work for all offenders?
Many offenders suffer from addiction, mental health issues, or poor education, which prevent rational decision-making.
How does prison protect the public?
It It removes criminals from society, preventing them from committing further crimes.
-What types of sentences offer the most public protection?
. Whole-life sentences
Mandatory life sentences (e.g., 2 years for hate crimes)
Indeterminate sentences (offender only released when safe)
Why might prison fail to fully protect the public?hint 4 points
Prisoners can harm themselves, other inmates, or officers.
Prison can act as a “school for crime.”
Most prisoners are eventually released.
Prison is very expensive.
How does imprisonment aim to achieve reparation?
Some prisoners work to contribute to society under the Prisoner’s Earnings Act 2011, which deducts earnings for victim support services.
Why does imprisonment fail to meet reparation?
Few prisoners get work opportunities, so it has little impact on repairing harm to victims or society.
How does prison aim to rehabilitate offenders?
Longer sentences allow access to rehabilitation programs, such as:
Family-oriented units for parenting support.
Education programs (literacy, numeracy, IT skills).
Why does prison often fail to rehabilitate offenders?
Short sentences prevent proper rehabilitation.
Lack of education/training facilities.
Lack of funding for anger
management programs.
Addiction & mental health issues are often not treated.
. What is community sentencing? And what factors do they include
: A Community Order with one or more of the following requirements:
Supervision by probation officers
40-300 hours of unpaid work (e.g., Community Payback)
Curfew/exclusion orders
Living in probation-approved housing
Rehabilitation programs (e.g., anger management, drug treatment)
