ASSIGNMENT Flashcards
1
Q
Research Methods (Aim 1)
A
- In order to research aim 1, “AIM 1”,I used a government document from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology titled: “Non-custodial sentences” (2020)
- Found useful as it mostly supported aims and provided a myriad of statistical data needed for my aim
- Appearance and layout was user friendly. Had a multi page bibliography of all its sources which grants us an insight into where they received there information
- POST is a parliamentary and government resource meaning and it’s author Robert Mann has done many other reports it’s reliable
- However, a disadvantage of the layout is that it is very word heavy, with few pictures to ease the reading. Large amount takes ages to digest its information
- Although POST is reliable and reputable, it needs to be completely factual and unbiased - making it difficult to pick out selected quotations to help my aim
- Finally, the statistics and evidence provided have a lack of comparable to other sentencing options - meaning difficulties in trying proving non custodial sentences effectiveness
- If I were to use again I would try compare it with relevant statistics from other types of sentencing. If I were to research aim 1 again I would find a source which offered more comparable evidence as to why…
2
Q
Research Methods (Aim 2)
A
- In order to research aim 2, ”AIM 2” I used a newspaper article by YouGov named: “John Humphrys - Does Prison Work?” (October 2023)
- I found this article useful as it showed clear support for my hypothesis and provided a lot of qualitative statistics for my aim
- The appearance and layout was user friendly with links to other prison related articles, large amount of information separated by appropriate paragraphing, and links political articles down below
- YouGov newspaper is rather reputable and the author John Humphry has published many other articles: I believe the statistics are reliable
- The information was extremely up to date (October 2023), concise and compared to older and opposite beliefs. Argues a clear point which supports my hypothesis whilst expanding on my aim
- A disadvantage appearance to the layout and appearance of the article was how hard it was to maintain focus with the boring black text on white background therefore seeming bleak
- Although YouGov is well known, it has been found to be selective in the poll data they use
- Even though the facts and statistics were useful for my aim, they did not list where they found their information anywhere
- If I was to use to this article again
I would try compare negative prison statistics with more recent opinions against it. If I were to research aim 1 again, I would try to find an article that offered better presented statistics as to the effectiveness of prisons
3
Q
Research Findings (Aim 1)
A
- In order to research Aim 1 “AIM 1” I used a government document named “Non-custodial sentences” by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (January 2020)
I found out that:
- A 2007 review of over 100 studies globally indicates that non-custodial sentences are associated with lower reoffending rates
- Using community orders instead of short custodial sentences could reduce the high turnover of people in the prison system
- Non-custodial sentences may provide benefits, especially comped to short custodial sentences (less than 12 months). This includes reoffending rates and disruption to the convict
4
Q
Research Findings (Aim 2)
A
- In order to research Aim 2 “AIM 2” I used a newspaper article named “John Humphrys - Does Prison Work?” by YouGov (October 2023)
I found out that:
- Old Home Secretary Michael Howard stayed that prisons work in 2003: “It ensures we are protected from murderers, muggers and rapists - and it makes many tempted to commit crime think twice.”
- More than 65 per cent of those incarcerated for less than a year reoffend
- The Norwegians have an extremely low reoffending rate of 20 per cent as they treat even the most dangerous inmates with homely conditions for rehabilitation
5
Q
Research Findings (Aim 3)
A
- In order to research Aim 3 “AIM 3” I used a survey titled: “Custodial and Non-custodial sentencing - which is more effective?” which I made myself.
I found out that:
- Out of the 25 responses, 76% of the public believe that custodial sentencing is more effective
- One custodial sentencing voter stated: “Prison can teach criminals a lesson and it keeps dangerous people off the streets”
- A non-custodial voter stated:”[the convicts] time could be better spent learning from mistakes [rather] than being punished in most cases.”
6
Q
Conclusions
A
- From my research into Aim 1: “AIM 1” I can conclude that non-custodial sentencing is more effective than custodial sentencing as it proved that non-custodial sentencing are seen to have lower reoffending rates and are also more effective against short custodial sentences.
- From my research into Aim 2: “AIM 2” I can conclude that the UK’s prison system isn’t effective when looking at reoffending rates, however it was once thought to be.
- From my research into Aim 3: “AIM 3” I can conclude that the average teenager believes that custodial sentencing is better as it keeps dangerous people schooled from main society.
- Overall, I conclude that my hypothesis, HYPOTHESIS is correct as most of my evidence from my aims support it - especially the 100 studies - however a high percentage of teenagers the public think otherwise.
