Custodial Sentencing

Question 1

Custodial sentencing

Answer 1

Punishment for a crime spending time in prison or other inclosed institution
Young offenders Institute or a psychiatric hospital
Four reasons: deterrence, incapacitation, retribution, rehabilitation

Question 2

1) deterrence

Answer 2

Unpleasant experience designed to put individual off from engaging in offending behaviour
Crime won’t be tolerated- prevents reoffending
Behaviourist idea -vicarious reinforcement

Question 3

2) incapacitation

Answer 3

Taken out of society to prevent them from reoffending to protect the public
Depends on severity of offence

Question 4

3) retribution

Answer 4

Revenge- get them back for what they did
Level of suffering should be proportionate to seriousness of the offence-
‘ eye for an eye’

Question 5

4) rehabilitation

Answer 5

Prison is to reform-should leave better adjusted and ready to be back in society
Allows skill development and training and treatment as well as chance to reflect

Question 6

Psychological effects of custodial sentencing

Answer 6

Stress and depression-suicide rates and self harm higher in prison. Stress can lead to psychological conditions
Institutionalisation -Become accustomed to the norms and routines of prison so cannot function on the outside
Prisonisation-inmate code that is unacceptable in the real world but are rewarded inside the walls

Question 7

The problem of recidivism

Answer 7

Reoffending-Difficult to obtain clear figures
In the UK , 57% within one year of release. 45% in recent years
Vary with time, age, crime and country
Yukhnenko-US, Australia, Denmark-60%. Norway-20%

Question 8

Limitation-psychological effects

Answer 8

Negative psychological effect on prisoners
Bartol-Imprisonment can be devastating for some offenders. 2016- 119 killed themself
Young single man almost at risk within the first 24 hours

Question 9

Strength-counterpoint

Answer 9

Many of those convicted may have had pre-existing psychological and emotional difficulties which explains their offending in the first place
May be confounding variables

Question 10

Strength-training and treatment

Answer 10

Rehabilitation-may become better people then lead a crime free life.
Shirley- offenders who take part in education programs are 43% less likely to reoffend
Maybe a worthwhile experience with these programs

Question 11

Limitation-School for crime

Answer 11

May become better offenders-more experienced will teach the tricks of the trade
Makes reoffending more likely

Question 12

Evaluation-the purpose of prison

Answer 12

Onepoll 2015-47% saw prison as being to punish the offender for the wrongdoing
Many saw prison as too soft
40% -emphasis should be on reform and rehabilitate so offenders can be effectively reintegrated back into society