AC 2.3 - How forms of punishment meet the aims of punishment Flashcards
what is imprisonment ?
imprisonment is going to prison
what is a life sentence
a life sentence is the most serious punishment in the UK. A life sentence is about 25 years in prison.
A mandatory life sentence is when someone is found guilty for murder - they cannot be released
A indeterminate sentence is the minimum sentence an offender must server
what is a suspended sentence
a suspended sentence is when an offender goes to prison but not directly
ways in which imprisonment meets its aims
retribution - it punishes the offender for their crimes and takes away freedom
public protection - it incapacitates criminals and they are not in society
rehabilitation - prisons offer rehabilitation programmes
ways in which imprisonment doesn’t meets its aims
deterrence - reoffending rates are high ~ nearly half fall offenders re-offend within a year of release
public protection - prisons are ‘universities of crime’ and can teach prisoners how to commit more crimes
rehabilitation - those that have a short sentence might not finish their rehabilitation program / receive rehabilitation
What is community sentencing
community sentencing is when an offender works within the community as a punishment due to imprisonment being too serious. A person would work for free and would have a curfew
Way in which community meets its aims
retribution - an offender has to work for free and is restricted on where they can go
reparation - the offender if giving back my making the community a better place as they have to do the work
rehabilitation - community sentences are more often effective than short prison sentences
Ways in which community sentences doesn’t meet its aims
public protection - it places the offender in society and can risk the public safety
Rehabilitation - between 2007 and 2017 the number of community orders fell from 14% to 8%
what is a fine
a fine is a financial penalty that is given to an offender for minor crimes that they may have committed
ways in which fins meet its aims
retribution - there is a financial loss for the offender, they have to sacrifice something they own (money)
deterrence - it can signal that worse punishments can follow if a person decides to reoffend and therefore they would not reoffend as they don’t want to go to prison
ways in which fines don’t meet its aims
deterrence - offenders might not always pay their fines and will then go to prison
public protection - a person might do something very dangerous and could possibly risk a persons life and they just have to pay a fine
what is discharge ?
discharge is when an offender is found guilty but a criminal conviction is not given
conditional discharge - offender will not be punished unless they commit another crime within a certain period of time
ways in which discharge meets its aims
deterrence - for low level punishments, act as a warning for offenders for future crimes
retribution - going to court could be punishment enough
ways in which discharge doesn’t meets its aims
public protection - a person is not properly punished and could be a threat to society
rehabilitation - an offender is let off with a warning and their mindset does not change
