dealing with offending behaviour - custodial sentancing Flashcards
aims of custodial sentencing
4 main aims
deterrence
incapacitiation
retribution
rehabilitation
deterrence
unpleasant prison expeirnce is designed to put off the indivual from engaging in offending behaviour
works on two level
general deterrence - aims to send a broad message to members of society that crime will not be tolerated
indivuals deterrence - should prevent the indivuals from repeating the same offences in light of their epxirnce
based on the behaviourist idea of conditioning through vicarious punishment
incapacitation
offender is taken out fo society to prevent them offending as a means of protecting th public
need to incapacitation is lieklt to depend upon the severity of ht offence and nature of the offender
retribution
society is enacting revenge for the offence by making the offender suffer
level of suffering should be proportionate to the seriousness of the offencence
rehabilitation
many people see the main objective for rishon as not being purely to punish but to reform
upon release offender should leave prison better adjusted and ready to take their place back in society
prison should provide opportunities to develop skills and training or to access treatment programmes
give the offender the chance to reflect on their offence
psychological effects of custodial sentencing
several psychological effects associated with serving time in prison
stress and depression
suicide rates are considerably higher in prison than in the general population
self- harm
stress of prison experience also increase the risk of developing psuchoigcal disorders following release
institutionalisation
having adapted to the norms and routines of prison life inmates may become so accustomed to these that they no longer can function on the outside
prisonisation
the way in which prisoners are socialised into adopting an inmate code
behaviour may be considered unacceptable in the outside world
may be encouraged and rewarded inside the walls of the institution
the problem of recidivism
refers to reoffending
recidivism rates in ex prisoners tell us to what extent prisons cts as an effective deterrent
difficult to obtain clear figure for various reasons
example - depends on whether you are looking at reoffending within a year or longer
reoffending rated depend on age period of release and crime committed and the country’s
norway have low rates such as 20%
US have 60%
in norway prisons there i more of an emphasis on rehabilitation and skills de vopemyn
limitation
psychological effects
Bartol
suggested that for many offender imprisonment can be brutal
ministers of justice a record 119 people killed themselves in prison in england a new ales in 2016
increase of 32%
supports the view that oppressive prion regimes may be deter mental to psychological health which could impact on rehabilitation
strenght
training and treatment
provides opportunity for training and treatment
rehabilitation
offender may become better people during their time in prions and their improved character means they may be able to live a crime free life
many offender access education and training whilst in prison increasing the possiblity they will find employment upon release
suggest prin may be worthwhile experience assuming offenders are able to access these programmes
limitation
school for crime
offenders may learn to become better offenders
incarceration with long term offender mya give younger inmates in particulate the opportunity to learn ways of committing crime etc
offenders may al;sp a quite criminal contacts whilst in prison that they may follow up on release
may undermine attempts to rehabilitate prisoners and consequently may make reoffending more likely
