Aims and types of punishment unit 4 Flashcards
What are the 5 aims of punishment?
Deterrence, Retribution, Rehabilitation, Reparation, Public protection,
What does deterrence aim to do? and the 2 types?
Aims to dissuade the offender, or anyone in society, from committing crime through fear of punishment.
Individual deterrence = Aims to ensure that an offender does not re offend.
General deterrence = Aims to prevent potential offenders from committing a crime.
What does retribution aim to do?
Punish the offender for their crime e.g. imprisonment.
What does rehabilitation aim to do?
Aims to alter the offender’s mindset so that future re offending can be prevented. E.g. community service.
Getting offenders life back on track.
Reform offenders and reintroduce them into society.
What does reparation aim to do?
Aims to ensure that the defendant pays back to the victim or society for their wrongdoing.
Offender has to give something back, e.g. community service, fines, restorative justice.
What does public protection aim to do?
Takes dangerous offenders away from the public so they cannot harm them e.g. sending dangerous offenders to prison.
This is the idea that punishment must serve a useful purpose for society as a whole by protecting us from dangerous criminals.
What are the 4 types of punishments?
Imprisonment,
Community service,
Fines,
Discharge.
What is a fine?
A fine is the most common type of punishment. It’s given to low level crime. The amount that is paid depends on the severity of the crime and the financial situation of the offender.
What is discharge?
Discharge is given for the least serious crimes. It means that no punishment is given for the crime but the crime still goes on the individuals criminal record. No punishment is given because the experience of going to court is punishment enough.
What is community service?
A punishment given which combines punishment with activities carried out in the community. Community service aims to tackle the reasons why people have committed a crime. It helps to rehabilitate people.
What is imprisonment?
Imprisonment is the most severe punishment so it is saved for the most serious crimes. It is imposed if the offender is deemed unsafe to the public. They’re 4 types of prison sentences - suspended, determinate, extended and life sentences.
Determinate prison sentences
The prisoner will go to prison for up to ? years but can be released early for good behaviour.
Life sentences ( mandatory and discretionary life sentence, and whole life orders)
mandatory = Judge will set a minimum term that the offender must serve before they can be released if they have exhibited good behaviour. They will only be released if they are deemed as no longer being a threat to the public.
discretionary = A life sentence given to an offender in respect to an offence for which life imprisonment is the maximum penalty. Crimes other than murder.
whole life order = They will never be released.
Extended sentences
Consists of a custodial sentence which reflects the seriousness of the crime, followed by an extended licence period where the offender is monitored to ensure the safety of the public.
Suspended sentence
When an offender does not go to prison immediately but is given a chance to stay out of trouble and comply with requirements.
If the offender does not comply or reoffends, they will likely go to prison and serve time for the original custodial term and the new offence.
