Custodial Sentencing

Question 1

Describe what is deterrence

Answer 1

Putting people off crime, based on conditioning principles. Prison aims to put people off committing crimes/ reoffending. Sends a message to society

Question 2

What is incapacitation?

Answer 2

Protects the public as offender is not in society, depends on severity of the crime.

Question 3

What is retribution?

Answer 3

Revenge against the offender, making them suffer. Proportional to severity of the crime.

Question 4

What is rehabilitation?

Answer 4

Reform the offender, learn new attitudes to stop being an offender. Opportunity to develop skills.

Question 5

List the three psychological effects of custodial sentencing and examples.

Answer 5

Stress and depression- suicide rates high

Institutionalisation- inability to function outside prison

Prisonisation- behaviours unacceptable outside prison eg. Inmate code

Question 6

One limitation of custodial sentencing is the psychological effects. Describe this (AO3)

Answer 6

Bartol- prison can be brutal and devastating

Suicide rates are very high.
Young single men first 24hrs most risk.

Prison reform trust = 24% women, 15% men reported as psychotic

Question 7

Describe the counter point of prison reform trust research (AO3)

Answer 7

PRT- did not include NO. Of inmates who already had symptoms of being psychotic.

Confounding variables influence the link between prison and psychological effects.

Question 8

Describe why prisons are called ‘universities for crime’ (AO3)

Answer 8

When in prison inmates may undergo a more dubious education.
DAT— hardens criminals which may give younger offenders a chance to learn tips and tricks from experienced offenders.