Chapter 3: How we deal with those who commit crime - Differing forms of punishment available in the UK - Custodial sentences

Question 1

Imprisonment

Answer 1

Imprisonment is:

1. The most severe sentence available to the courts
2. Reserved for the most serious offences

Question 2

Imprisonment is the most severe sentence available to the courts and is reserved for the most serious offences.
When is it imposed?

Answer 2

Imprisonment is imposed where it is felt that the public needs to be protected

Question 3

Imprisonment is the most severe sentence available to the courts and is reserved for the most serious offences.
What does the length of the sentence depend upon?

Answer 3

The length of the sentence depends upon the:

1. Seriousness of the crime
2. Maximum penalty laid down in the legislation

Question 4

Imprisonment is the most severe sentence available to the courts and is reserved for the most serious offences.
The length of the sentence depends upon the seriousness of the crime and the maximum penalty laid down in the legislation.
For some serious offences, what has Parliament done?

Answer 4

For some serious offences, Parliament has laid down minimum sentences:

1. 7 years for some drug offences
2. 3 years for a third burglary offence
3. 5 years for some firearms offences

Question 5

Describe the prison sentences available to a court

Answer 5

There are different types of prison sentences available to a court:

1. Life sentences
2. Extended sentences
3. Determinate sentences
4. Suspended sentences

Question 6

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of what?

Answer 6

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder

Question 7

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder.
What will the judge set before the offender can be considered for release by the Parole Board?

Answer 7

The judge will set a minimum term before the offender can be considered for release by the Parole Board

Question 8

The 2003 Criminal Justice Act laid out a schedule regarding what?

Answer 8

The 2003 Criminal Justice Act laid out a schedule regarding sentencing

Question 9

The 2003 Criminal Justice Act laid out a schedule regarding sentencing.
Example

Answer 9

For example, for murder involving:
1. A knife
Or,
2. Other weapon
,the starting point is 25 years

Question 10

The 2003 Criminal Justice Act laid out a schedule regarding sentencing.
For example, for murder involving a knife or other weapon, the starting point is 25 years.
What are some people sentenced to?

Answer 10

Some people are sentenced to a whole life order

Question 11

In 2014, how many people were serving a whole life order?

Answer 11

In 2014, 56 people were serving a whole life order

Question 12

In 2014, 56 people were serving a whole life order.

Who do they include?

Answer 12

They include:

1. Ian Brady
2. Rosemary West
3. Peter Sutcliffe
4. Dennis Nilsen

Question 13

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder.
There are other offences where the maximum sentence is what?

Answer 13

There are other offences where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment

Question 14

Why were extended sentences introduced?

Answer 14

Extended sentences were introduced to provide extra public protection

Question 15

Extended sentences were introduced to provide extra public protection, where the public may need protection from the individual after their release.
The person serves what?

Answer 15

The person serves a prison sentence

Question 16

In an extended sentence, the person serves a prison sentence and then can be on a licence for up to a further 8 years.
What can the prison sentence and the licence period not go beyond?

Answer 16

The:
1. Prison sentence
2. Licence period
cannot go beyond the maximum sentence for the offence

Question 17

In 2014, how many offenders were given an extended sentence?

Answer 17

In 2014, 635 offenders were given an extended sentence

Question 18

The most common type of prison sentence

Answer 18

The most common type of prison sentence is determinate sentences

Question 19

Determinate sentences is where the court sets a what?

Answer 19

Determinate sentences is where the court sets a fixed length for the prison sentence

Question 20

Determinate sentences is where the court sets a fixed length for the prison sentence.
In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always do what?

Answer 20

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence

Question 21

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to serve some of their sentence in the community on licence.
What happens if they breach the licence?

Answer 21

If they breach the licence, they return to prison

Question 22

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to serve some of their sentence in the community on licence.
What does their release depend upon?

Answer 22

Their release depends upon their behaviour in prison

Question 23

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to serve some of their sentence in the community on licence.
If they have been sentenced to 6 months in prison, they can be what?

Answer 23

If they have been sentenced to 6 months in prison, they can be:

1. Released after 3 months
2. On licence for 9 months

Question 24

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to serve some of their sentence in the community on licence.
If they have been sentenced to 18 months in prison, they can be what?

Answer 24

If they have been sentenced to 18 months in prison, they can be:

1. Released after 9 months
2. On licence for 3 months

Question 25

In 2014, how many offenders were given determinate sentences?

Answer 25

In 2014, 90,871 offenders were given determinate sentences

Question 26

If the court imposes a custodial sentence of between 14 days and 2 years, what can the judge decide to do?

Answer 26

If the court imposes a custodial sentence of between:
1. 14 days
2. 2 years
,the judge can decide to suspend the sentence for up to 2 years

Question 27

If the court imposes a custodial sentence of between 14 days and 2 years, the judge can decide to suspend the sentence for up to 2 years.
What will the court require the offender to do?

Answer 27

The court will require the offender to undertake other tasks

Question 28

Sentences given by criminal courts fall into 2 broad categories, custodial and non-custodial.
If the offender does not comply or commits another offence, what happens when sentencing?

Answer 28

If the offender:
1. Does not comply
Or,
2. Commits another offence
,the earlier offence is taken into account when sentencing

Question 29

In 2014, how many offenders were given a custodial sentence?

Answer 29

In 2014, 91,313 offenders were given a custodial sentence

Question 30

In 2014, 91,313 offenders were given a custodial sentence, what percentage of all court sentences?

Answer 30

In 2014, 91,313 offenders were given a custodial sentence, about 8% of all court sentences

Question 31

The 2003 Criminal Justice Act laid out a schedule regarding sentencing.
For example, for murder involving a knife, or other weapon, the starting point is 25 years.
Some people are sentenced to a whole life order, which means they should what?

Answer 31

Some people are sentenced to a whole life order, which means they should never be released from prison

Question 32

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder.
There are other offences where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, such as what?

Answer 32

There are other offences where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, such as:
1. Rape
Or,
2. Robbery

Question 33

Parliament has decided that judges must give a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder.
There are other offences where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, such as rape or robbery, but this is only applied in what?

Answer 33

There are other offences where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, such as:
1. Rape
Or,
2. Robbery
,but this is only applied in the most serious cases

Question 34

Extended sentences were introduced to provide extra public protection, where the public may need what?

Answer 34

Extended sentences were introduced to provide extra public protection, where the public may need protection from the individual after their release

Question 35

Extended sentences were introduced to provide extra public protection, where the public may need protection from the individual after their release.
The person serves a prison sentence and then can be what?

Answer 35

The person:

1. Serves a prison sentence
2. Then can be on a licence for up to a further 8 years

Question 36

Determinate sentences is where the court sets a fixed length for the prison sentence.
In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to do what?

Answer 36

In determinate sentences, prisoners do not always serve their full sentence, as they are allowed to serve some of their sentence in the community on licence

Question 37

If the court imposes a custodial sentence of between 14 days and 2 years, the judge can decide to suspend the sentence for up to 2 years.
The court will require the offender to undertake other tasks, such as what?

Answer 37

The court will require the offender to undertake other tasks, such as:

1. Doing unpaid work
2. Being subject to a curfew
3. Undertaking treatment regarding drugs, or alcohol abuse
4. Being subject to a supervision order