Custodial sentencing - AO3

Question 1

What is a strength for an aim for custodial sentencing?

Answer 1

• P: Strength of rehabilitation = research evidence
• E: Rehabilitation reduces recividism; training and treatment an help an offender find employment
• E: Shirly (2019): offenders who did college programmes 43% less likely to reoffend

Question 2

What is a limitation about the aims of custodial sentencing?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = prison undermines reform
• E: Prison gives “criminal education” from fellow inmates; learn how to become better offenders
• E: May learn “tricks of trade” or acquire criminal contacts (future recidivism more likely)
• L: Means that aim to rehabilitate offenders does not actualy work in practice

Question 3

What is something to consider about the aims of custodial sentencing?

Answer 3

• P: Consider = public perception
• E: 2015 Onepoll survey:47% of people saw main purpose of prison as retribution (to punish)
• E: However, 40% thought main emphasis should be on rehabilitation and integration back to society
• L: Indicates custodial sentencing should aim to be harsh enough for retribution but also offer offenders a chance of reform

Question 4

What are two strengths of the psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

Answer 4

• P: Strength = research evidence
• E: Ministry of justice: Risk of suicide hit a record high in 2016 (average 1 every 3 days - 9xmgeneral population)
• E: Prison reform trust: 25% of women and 15% of men in prison report psychosis
• L: Demonstrates harmful psychological effects custodial desntencing can have

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* P: Strength = Zimbardo SPE
* E: Even those assessed as being “mentally sound” became withdrawn and isolated, and some released early
* E: Even guards became increasingly brutal and showing additional psychological effect
* L: Demonstrates psychological effects on those who did not have prior symptoms

Question 5

What is a limitation of the psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

Answer 5

• P: Limitation = pre-existing symptoms
• E: Stats do not distinguish those who already had symptoms
• E: Importation model: offenders may be “importing” existing psychological effects into prison
• L: Means custodial sentencng maybe not source of negative psychological effects cannot establish cause and effect