Morality & Justice: Responses to Crime Flashcards
1
Q
Drawbacks of Prison Sentence?
A
- Prisons are expensive to run – In 2013-
2014 the Scottish Government reported
that the Scottish prison service cost £264
million - School of crime – Criminals can learn tips
and tricks from each other and even form
gangs in prison – These gangs can then
force others into taking, selling or buying
drugs - Effect on families – The imprisoned family
member may have possessed the highest
income with the household, which would
leave the family with less or no money
2
Q
Benefits of Prison Sentence?
A
- Every prison in Scotland offers some sort
of reform programme e.g. drug and alcohol
rehabilitation, education, vocational
training and therapy. - Children who possess a fundamental
understanding of the law and know prison
is not a place for fun may avoid breaking
the laws - Criminals are removed from society to
protect law-abiding citizens and assure a
pattern of peace in the community
3
Q
Drawbacks of Tagging?
A
- If a criminal must be back inside their
house by 7pm, it means that prolific
offenders such as burglars and shoplifters
can still go out and commit crimes during
daylight hours without the authorities
knowing where they are - Doesn’t always stop violence e.g. Lewis
Singleton, an 18 year old was brutally stabbed to death by a man who had a history of violence and had previously burgled a residence a few days before his curfew said he should have been at home - Harry Fletcher, National Association of
Probation Officers said “There’s still no
evidence that it has reduced crime or
prevented offenders from committing
further offences”
4
Q
Benefits of Tagging?
A
- This is a much cheaper option than prison,
costing around £2000 a year - At any one time, 2000 people are tagged
and completing their sentences at home or in a hostel, therefore removing more people from busy prisons. - With some tags, offenders can be tracked
within two metres of their location which is
particularly vital for those convicted of sex
offences.
5
Q
Drawbacks of Fines?
A
- When it comes to fines for speeding,
illegal parking or littering, fixed penalty
fines are used, meaning that a person
would have to pay a certain amount
regardless of their financial position - High reoffending rates for minor crimes
such as speeding or littering, showing fines
don’t act as a deterrent - As ordinary citizens, it isn’t likely that we
know all the ins and outs of the law, which means we may commit a crime without
even knowing it
6
Q
Benefits of Fines?
A
- Keeps people out of prison for minor
offences, thus keeping costs down - Acts as a deterrent – For some people
even just the threat of receiving a fine is
enough to put them off committing a crime - Able to tailor the cost of fines to the specific individual – This means that a person’s income may be considered before a fine is given to them.
7
Q
Drawbacks of Community Paybacks?
A
- Is it right to shame these people and make
an example of them in order to put others
off? - If you know that a crime will lead to a light
sentence such as community service, then
it won’t put you off doing it in the first
place. - Offers little protection to society, because
the offender will remain in the community
and so will still be able to carry out further
crimes
8
Q
Benefits of Community Paybacks?
A
- Community service is one way to cut
government cost on punishing offenders as
it provides a less expensive approach with
similar effect and helps in reducing the
overcrowding problem in prison - Community service offers help to the
offenders to rehabilitate themselves more
effectively than in prison because by
community service the offenders are able
to give something back to the community
as proof that they have changed - Only £3000 is needed to send a person to
one year of community rehabilitation order
– On average, sending a person to prison is
12 times higher.
