Punishments Flashcards
How did the media lead to the abolition of the death penalty in the 20th century?
The least woman to be hanged was Ruth Ellis in 1956 and was found guilty of shooting her lover David Blakely in a crime of passion and he often beat Ellis and was an abusive relationship. There was no doubt of her guilt but there was a tremendous public sympathy for the glamorous Ellis whose photo appeared in many newspapers and spread her story. This publicised the miscarriages of justice in the people opinions and pushed for abolition
What is the difference between custodial and non custodial punishments?
Custodial: Being locked up
Non custodial: Alternative forms of punishment eg. Fines or electronic tagging
When were open prisons established?
They were established in 1933
Give an example of an open prison still in place today?
HM Prison Ford which had over 500 prisoners in 2023
A prison sentence shows the government is being harsh on crimes but there was a high rate of prisoners re offending. Why are custodial punishments not beneficial?
Younger prisoners can learn from older ones
Prison is hugely expensive to the government
Prison does not deal with the social or personal problem that caused them to commit the crime
Why were Borstals abolished in 1982?
Around sixty percentage of those released from Borstals re offended and there was also an increase in youth crime
What trend in executions was observed by the late 1700s?
A declining trend in executions
The Government’s decision to abolish the Bloody Code in the 1820/30s meant that only murder and treason were punishable by death.
What significant change occurred in 1868 regarding executions?
Public hanging was ended
After 1840, there were around 15 executions a year, all for murder.
What exceptions to the abolition of hanging for murder were made in 1957?
Hanging was abolished for all murders except:
* Murder of a police officer or prison officer
* Murder by shooting or explosion
* Murder while resisting arrest
* Murder while carrying out theft
* Murder of more than one person
As a result, executions in Britain fell to an average of only four a year.
How did the Second World War impact public opinion on the death penalty?
There was a growing feeling that execution was un-Christian and barbaric
The country had been engaged in a life or death struggle against the Nazis.
What did the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights state in 1948?
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person
It adds that ‘No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
What was notable about Ruth Ellis’s case?
She was the last woman to be hanged in Britain in 1956
There was tremendous public sympathy for her due to her abusive relationship with her lover.
When was the death penalty abolished for murder in Britain?
1965
In 1998, capital punishment was abolished for all remaining crimes, including treason.
Fill in the blank: The Human Rights Act was passed in _____ and included the right to life.
1998
It also included the right to freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
What significant change occurred in prisons by 1902?
The use of pointless hard work such as the crank and the treadmill were abolished
This marked a shift away from the separate system of punishment.
What ended in prisons after 1922?
Solitary confinement was ended
Prisoners were allowed to associate with each other.
What were some improvements made to prisons before 1947?
Improvements included:
* Abolishing broad arrows on convict uniforms
* Ending the ‘convict crop’ hairstyle
* Improving diet, heating, and cell conditions
* Allowing more visits from friends and family
Why were teachers employed in prisons?
To help inmates prepare for ordinary life back in the community
This was part of a broader effort to rehabilitate prisoners.
What was the concept of open prisons?
Prisoners were allowed to leave during the daytime to work
This was intended to prepare them for reintegration into society.
What trend began after the 1940s regarding the prison population?
The prison population began to rise steeply
The number of people in prison doubled between 1993 and 2015.
What factors contributed to the increase in prison population after the 1940s?
Factors included:
* Increased fear of crime
* Public concerns about being soft on crime
* Longer average sentences
What has happened to the average length of sentences since the 1940s?
The average length of sentences has increased
Governments seek to be tough on crime.
What ongoing problem has affected prisons since 1994?
Prison overcrowding
This peaked in the 1980s and has continued every year since.
What issues have arisen due to prison overcrowding?
Issues include:
* Fewer staff for more prisoners
* Increased serious assaults in prison
* Rising deaths in custody
What decline has been observed in recent years regarding prison activities?
There has been a decline in purposeful activity such as work or education for prisoners
In 2014, over half of prisons were deemed inadequate or requiring improvement for learning and skills.
What are some arguments against the effectiveness of prisons?
Arguments include:
* High rates of re-offending
* High costs to the government
* Failure to address social or personal issues that lead to crime
What non-custodial alternatives to prison are mentioned?
Examples include:
* Reflective training
* Probation
* Fines
Fill in the blank: The use of pointless hard work in prisons, such as the crank and the treadmill, was _______ by 1902.
abolished
What was the Victorian attitude towards juvenile delinquents?
Young offenders were treated the same as adults, with harsh punishments
How did attitudes towards young offenders change by the early twentieth century?
Ideas shifted from harsh punishments towards reform, believing young people could change
What was the priority in dealing with young offenders?
To separate young offenders from hardened criminals
What were borstals, and how were they structured?
Strict boarding schools for young offenders with competitions and character-building sports
What was the usual sentence length for offenders in borstals?
From six months to two years
What significant establishment was set up in 1932?
The first Approved Schools for offenders under the age of fifteen
What skills were taught in Approved Schools?
Training in skills such as bricklaying
What was introduced in 1948 for young offenders?
Attendance Centres
What was the purpose of Attendance Centres?
To provide compulsory sessions covering literacy, numeracy, and life skills
What age group do Attendance Centres currently deal with?
Offenders aged 18-24 years
What do Attendance Centres encourage today?
Understanding the impact of their crimes on the community
What percentage of those released from borstals went on to re-offend?
Around 60 percent
What did the government introduce in 1982?
Youth Detention Centres
What was the intended purpose of Youth Detention Centres?
To provide a short sharp shock through military drill and discipline
What was the outcome of the tougher stance taken in 1982?
Re-offending rates actually increased
What is the situation today regarding youth justice?
Re-offending rates remain stubbornly high
Who do youth courts work with?
Police, schools, social workers, and probation officers
How is custody viewed in youth justice?
As the last resort
What non-custodial methods are used to monitor offenders?
Tagging and curfews
What can courts impose as certain activities for young offenders?
Counseling
Fill in the blank: Attendance Centres are the young offender’s last chance. If they commit further offences, they are locked up in a _______.
Young Offenders Institute
