dealing with offending behaviour: custodial sentencing

Question 1

what are the 4 reasons for using custodial sentencing as a punishment

Answer 1

• deterrence
• incapacitation
• retribution
• rehabilitation

Question 2

define deterrence in terms of offending

Answer 2

custody (prison) is aimed to put off the individual from engaging in criminal behaviour

Question 3

define incapacitation in terms of offending

Answer 3

taken out of the public domain to protect the general public

the need for incapacitation is likely to depend on the severity of the offence and the nature of the offender

Question 4

define retribution in terms of offending

Answer 4

society is enacting revenge for the crime making the offender suffer and the level of suffering should be proportionate to the seriousness of the crime and to pay for their actions

Question 5

define rehabilitation in terms of offending

Answer 5

many see the use of prisoners not to punish but reform

offenders should leave prison feeling better adjusted and ready to take their place back in society

prison should provide opportunities to develop skills

Question 6

define custodial sentencing

Answer 6

a decision made by a court that the punishment for a crime should involve time in “custody”

this could be prison (incarceration) or a therapeutic or educational institutional such as a psychiatric hospital

Question 7

what are the 3 psychological effects of custodial sentencing

Answer 7

stress and depression

institutionalisation

prisonisation

Question 8

explain stress and depression as a psychological effect of custodial sentencing

Answer 8

high suicide rates
mutilation
self harm

the stress of prison also increases the risk of developing psychological disorders on release

Question 9

explain institutionalisation as a psychological effect of custodial sentencing

Answer 9

individuals take on the norms and routines of prison life - they may be unable to function “in the real world” when released

Question 10

explain prisonisation as a psychological effect of custodial sentencing

Answer 10

“inmate code”

behaviour considered unacceptable in the real world may be encouraged and rewarded in prison

Question 11

define recidivism

Answer 11

reoffending

a tendency to relapse into a previous conviction or mode of behaviour

a convicted offender who reoffends, tends to do so repeatedly