Custodial sentencing

• What are the 4 aims of custodial sentencing?

  Deterrence

  Retribution

  Incapacitation

  Rehabilitation
• What does Deterrence mean?

  It’s the idea that prison is there to prevent people from reoffending. It is based on the behaviourist approach with the idea that prisoners will not commit a crime again due to the fact they are being punished.
• What does Retribution mean?

  This focuses on the idea that the prisoner has hurt somebody (the victim) and their family and friends. They should pay for their actions by going to prison. Paying a fine is sometimes sufficient.
• What does Incapacitation mean?

  This is where the offender is no longer free to offend and is not a threat to society. Prison is necessary for incidents involving violent criminals or psychopaths who cannot control themselves. This protects the public.
• What does Rehabilitation mean?

  Where counselling and offender programmes are offered within prison. Offenders can learn skills and how to solve problems so they have a better chance once they are outside of prison.
• How does recidivism refer to custodial sentencing?

  • Recidivism refers to re-offending. In 2007, 14 prisoners in the England and Wales recorded reoffending rates of over 70%.
  • Norwegian prisons have some of the lowest recidivism rates in the world. Their prisons are much more open than the UK and greater emphasis is placed upon rehabilitation and gaining skills.
• What are the psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

  • Institutionalisation
  • Depression, self-harm and suicide
  • Prisonisation
  • Overcrowding and lack of privacy
• What is the psychological effect of custodial sentencing in institutionalisation?

  Adapting to prison life so much that they are unable to function in the 'real world'.
• What is the psychological effect of custodial sentencing in depression, self-harm and suicide?

  Young men are at the highest risk of suicide in the first 24 hours of imprisonment.
• What is the psychological effect of custodial sentencing in prisonisation?

  Prisons are like universities of crimes. In mates learn ways of living that would not be accepted in the outside.
• What is the psychological effect of custodial sentencing in overcrowding and lack of privacy?

  Two people cells are often designed for one.
• What is a limitation of custodial sentencing?

  Custodial sentencing (CS) causes psychological effects

  • More than half (52%) of people in prison surveyed by inspectors between 2020-2021. This shows that CS may cause more damage than help.
  • HOWEVER, a study that 42% of prisoners had been previously diagnosed with mental health issues. Therefore, does this show that having a mental health problem make you more vulnerable to being a criminal and going to prison.
• What is a strength of custodial sentencing?

  Offers the opportunity for training through rehabilitation programmes

  • Offenders who take part in education programmes are 43% less likely to reoffend. This improves behaviour inside the prison and giver prisoners purpose. This means that the custodial sentencing has been effective.
  • Offenders who take part in education programmes are 43% less likely to reoffend. These programmes give prison a purpose and look forward to getting out of prison and become a better person.