custodial sentencing

• What is custodial sentencing?

  Custodial sentencing is when an offender is found guilty and spends time in prison as punishment.
• What are the four aims of custodial sentencing?

  • Deterrence
  • Confinement
  • Retribution
  • Rehabilitation
• What is the aim of deterrence in custodial sentencing?

  Deterrence aims to discourage people from committing crimes by showing that there are severe punishments for such actions.
• How does confinement contribute to custodial sentencing?

  Confinement prevents the prisoner from committing further crimes, thereby enhancing societal safety.
• What is the focus of retribution in custodial sentencing?

  Retribution focuses on the feelings of the victims' families, ensuring that offenders face consequences for their actions.
• What is the purpose of rehabilitation in custodial sentencing?

  Rehabilitation aims to help prisoners develop skills and improve themselves to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
• What do recidivism rates indicate about custodial sentencing in the UK and USA?

  Recidivism rates indicate that the aims of custodial sentencing are not being fulfilled, with rates sometimes reaching up to 70%.
• Why have some psychologists referred to prisons as ‘colleges of crime’?


  They refer to them as ‘colleges of crime’ because prisoners learn new criminal techniques from each other.
• What are the three psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

  • Stress and depression
  • Institutionalisation
  • Recidivism
• What does Sykes believe causes stress and depression in prisoners?

  Sykes believes it is due to the five deprivations prisoners experience: personal autonomy, liberty, heterosexual relationships, goods and services, and safety.
• What is institutionalisation in the context of custodial sentencing?

  Institutionalisation occurs when prisoners become so accustomed to prison life that they struggle to function outside upon release.
• Which countries have the highest recidivism rates?

  The UK and USA have the highest recidivism rates in the world.
• Which country has the lowest recidivism rate?

  Norway has the lowest recidivism rate in the world.
• What did Coid et al (2007) find regarding mental health treatment and recidivism?

  Coid et al found that prisoners who received mental health treatment were 60% less likely to reoffend than those who did not.
• What did Malott and Fromader (2010) discover about offenders' feelings upon release?

  They found that offenders felt unsupported upon release and believed more resources and support services would help reduce recidivism.
• What did Hollin (1992) report about some prisoners' feelings towards prison?

  Hollin reported that some prisoners considered prison to be ‘home’ due to the stability and companionship it provided compared to their lives outside.
• How does institutionalisation relate to recidivism according to Hollin's findings?

  Hollin's findings suggest that institutionalisation leads to recidivism as prisoners prefer the structured environment of prison over the challenges of life outside.