Justice Flashcards
UK sentencing (4 sentences)
- Custodial sentencing
- Tagging
- Fining
- Community payback orders
Custodial Sentencing (advantages and disadvantages)
Rehabilitation programs are in place in most Scottish prisons eg. for drugs and alcohol.
Tagging (advantages and disadvantages)
Cheap, costs around £2,000 a year and they can be tracked within 2m.
Doesn’t always work, Lewis Singleton (18) was stabbed to death by someone with a tag and a history of violent crime.
Fines (advantages and disadvantages)
Free up prison space, keeping people out of jail for minor offences.
High re-offending rates for crimes such as litter and speeding, little deterrent.
Community payback orders (advantages and disadvantages)
Only £3,000 is needed to send someone to a community order, prison is much higher.
Offers little protection to the community that the offender is in.
Moral Issues
Punishment is inconsistent, not everyone gets the same for the same crime.
Discrimination, women are less likely to go to jail.
Cases where the innocent have been sentenced.
Doesn’t reform and can make the offender worse (college of crime).
P.O.P Retrebution
Similar teachings in the bible, Torah and Qu’ran that criminals should be punished for their actions.
Revenge, release of anger.
When does the cycle end?
P.O.P Deterrence
Punishment to put people off from committing a crime eg. Prison or electric tags
People don’t want it to happen to them so wont offend.
Crime is often impulsive so people don’t think of the consequences.
P.O.P Reformation
Punishment should reform a criminal, rehabilitate offenders with addiction or provide education.
Allows for a better life where they will not reoffend.
People are still distrustful of those who have committed crimes and may not believe that they have changed.
P.O.P Protection
Punishment should protect those in public from dangerous criminals.
Offenders cannot commit again and should be put off from doing so.
If released, the offender may still commit a crime.
Religious View
RET - “an eye for an eye” Book of Exodus
REF - everyone should have a second chance no matter the crime.
PRO - strong should support the weak, protect the innocent from harm.
DET - forgive those who have sinned. Mathew 6:14 if you forgive, God will forgive you.
Non-religious view (Utilitarian)
RET - brings more suffering on the criminal and families, suffering should be prevented.
REF - brings a positive outcome for both the criminal and society.
PRO - would bring about greatest good for the greatest number, for both criminal and society.
DET - if it reduces crime, this is good for the greatest number, however, if the punishment is too harsh they are against.
