Changes in punishment c1900-Present.

Question 1

Abolition of the death penalty.

Answer 1

-Used less and less in the 1800s.
- 1830s murder/treason was only punished by death.
- 1800s politicians were unsuccessful in removing the death penalty.
-Still used in 1900s.
-Attidues were changing.
-Homicide Act of 1957 restricted the death penalty to most serious cases of murder.
=1965 Murder Act suspended death penalty for 5 years.
- 1969 an amendment made this permanent.
-1998 ended the death penalty for all crimes.

Question 2

Controversial executions.

Answer 2

-1950 Timothy Evans-hung for murdering his wife and baby. Later evidence shows that it was a serial killer, not him.
-1953 Derek Bentley-hung for murder of a police officer.
Had learning difficulties and didn’t shoot the gun.
-1955 Ruth Ellis-Hung for the murder of her violent and abusive boyfriend. He caused her to miscarry their baby.
She also had a young child who was orphaned by the execution.

Question 3

Changing attitudes.

Answer 3

-Children-tolerance to the law -1900s.
-not the same understanding as adults-not punished as severely.
-1908 Children’s Act said under 16s could not be sentenced to death.
-1933 Young Persons Act age limit was raised to 18 and criminal responsibility to 8.
-Infanticide Act 1922 said women would not be punished with the death penalty if they killed a child shortly after its birth.

Question 4

Changes in the prison system.

Answer 4

-Ideas about the purpose of prison and the type of treatment expected changed.
-1896 mentally ill prisoners treated separately.
-1902 hard labour ended.
-1907 Alternatives to prison ( probation officers were employed.
-1922 increased focus on prison welfare.
-1933 new focus on preparing prisoners for life after prison (open prions with day release).

Question 5

Specialised treatment of young offenders.

Answer 5

Borstals:-Kent 1902.Boys only
-1908- national system of borstals.
-1982 Criminal Justice Act abolished borstals with youth custody centres.
-Criminal Justice Act 1948 reduced the use of prison for juveniles and led to improvements in probation.
-1963 and 69 Children and Young Persons Act.

Question 6

Reform and rehabilitation.

Answer 6

-Today people think prisoners should be given a chance to change.
-Modern courts use alternatives to prison:
-ASBOs (anti-social behaviour orders)-place restrictions on what a person can do.
-Community service
-Restorative justice meeting between victim and criminal.
-Drug/alcohol treatment programmes
-Electronic tagging-wear tag to monitor movement.