dealing with offending behaviour

• 4 aims of custodial sentencing

  1. retribution
  2. deterrence
  3. rehabilitation
  4. incapacitation
• 🚓 retribution

  • offenders should be punished as a form of revenge
  • based on principle of justice and fairness
• 🚓 deterrence

  • discourage offender and society from committing future crimes
  • unpleasant experience of prison makes offender less likely to reoffend
  • sends a message about consequences of crime
• 🚓 rehabilitation

  • reform offender so they can re-enter society as law-abiding citizens
  • uses education, therapy and skills training
  • changing offender's behaviour and attitudes
• 🚓 incapacitation

  • offender is removed from society to prevent them committing further crimes
  • protects society
• 🧠 psychological effects of custodial sentencing

  1. stress and depression
  2. institutionalisation
  3. suicide and self-harm
• define recidivism

  offender reoffends after being released
• 📈 high rates of recidivism

  • many offenders who have served time in prison reoffend after release

  e.g. lack of rehabilitation, stigma and prison failing to address underlying cause
• 💵 socioeconomic factors in recidivism

  • without appropriate post-release support, ex-offenders resort to criminality to cope

  e.g. unemployment, poverty and lack of social support
• 🎯 effectiveness of custodial sentencing at reducing recidivism

  • long-term imprisonment doesn't result in lower reoffending
  • shorter and more focused interventions are more effective
• 💳 token economy

  • rewards for desired behaviours and punishment for undesirable behaviours
  • prisoners modify behaviour in exchange for rewards
  • token traded for privileges
• 📖 research support for token economy

  • effective at changing behaviours like aggression or poor impulse control
  • success is dependent on consistency of rewards and motivation
• 😡 anger management programmes

  help offenders recognise triggers and develop strategies to control emotions

  • involve cognitive restructuring
• 🎯 effectiveness of anger management

  • reduces aggressive behaviour, improves interpersonal relationships and lower likelihood of violent offences
  • used for offenders convicted of assault or domestic violence
• 🛠️ restorative justice

  repairing harm by involving offender and victim in a process of reconciliation

  • offender is encouraged to take responsibility and understand impact
  • victim express emotional and practical consequences of crime
• 🎯 benefits of restorative justice

  • provide closure and reduce reoffending by fostering empathy
  • lower levels of recidivism as held accountable which generates remorse
• ✅ strength of custodial sentencing - deterrent

  deterrent to individual and society

  • general and individual deterrence
  • debated as longer sentences don't reduce recidivism
  • effectiveness is dependent on punishment severity
• ✅ strength of custodial sentencing - rehabilitation

  rehabilitation is a primary goal

  • opportunity to engage in programmes that reform behaviour
  • e.g. vocational training, anger management and substance abuse treatment
  • reduce reoffending (underfunded)
• ✅ strength of custodial sentencing - incapacitation

  meets aim of incapacitation

  • society is protected from individuals who commit serious crimes
  • relevant for violent offenders who pose a direct threat
  • effective for protection but doesn't address root causes
• ✅ strength of behaviour modification - effective

  effectively change behaviour in prison

  • reward positive behaviour with tokens which is exchanged for priveleges
  • reduce aggressive behaviour and encourage obedience
  • short-term success but not long-term
• ❌ limitation of behaviour modification - consistency

  consistency is crucial for success

  • rewards must be consistent and offenders must understand connection between behaviour and rewards
  • inconsistent reinforcement leads to a breakdown of the system
  • limits practicality
• ❌ limitation of behaviour modification -surface level


  doesn't address underlying causes

  • changes visible behaviour but not the deeper psychological issues
  • limited scope means offenders struggle to adapt to real-world situations
  • lacks comprehensiveness
• ✅ strength of anger management - effective

  reduce violent behaviour

  • taught techniques to recognise triggers, challenge irrational thoughts and implement de-escalation strategies
  • reduces aggression and improves emotional regulation
  • practical value
• ✅ strength of anger management - successful

  cognitive restructuring

  • taught to challenge and change irrational thoughts
  • helps recognise cognitive distortions which reduces impulsivity
  • some offenders struggle to apply skills outside a controlled environment
• ❌ limitation of anger management - motivation

  success is dependent on motivation

  • committed to program
  • offenders who are reluctant or externally benefit don't fully engage
  • lacks suitability
• ✅ strength of restorative justice - success

  repairs the harm caused

  • allows victims to express affect of the crime and offenders take responsibility
  • lead to lower recidivism rates
  • effective
• ✅ strength of restorative justice - effective

  encourages empathy

  • direct communication allows understanding of emotional impact
  • offenders feel more remorseful and less likely to reoffend
  • reduces recidivism
• ❌ limitation of restorative justice - suitability

  not suitable for all offenders

  • some offenders aren't ready to accept responsibility
  • dependent on willingness of both offender and victim
  • not appropriate for violent or chronic offenders