custodial sentencing and recidivism

• state the aims of custodial sentencing

  • protecting public- incapacitation- necessary for violent offenders who cannot control their own behaviour
  • prevent recidivism- behaviourist approach- decreases the likelihood of a repeated behaviour
  • deterring others- discouraging the general population from committing crimes
  • retribution- friends and family seek to feel a sense of justice
  • rehabilitation- may be opportunity for therapy as they have fewer distractions

  pious Ruby really digs recidivism
• what are the negative psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

  • de-individuation- shown by Stanford prison experiment- loss of identity because of increased aggression and treating people in inhumane ways
  • depression/self harm/suicide - induced hopelessness, about future etc. This causes depression- self harm can result from this, or even suicide
  • overcrowding/lack of privacy- 25% of prisoners are overcrowded, can lead to increased aggression, hypersexuality and illness as shown by a study including rats
  • effects on the family- children with mother/father affected financially and psychologically, parents in prison may feel guilt and separation anxiety
• evaluation of custodial sentencing?

  • ☹️not effective- for 50% of the prison population, punishment doesn't work. Punishment most effective when it occurs immediately, doesn't happen in the case of custodial sentencing
  • ☹ individual differences in recidivism- Walker et al found longer sentences made little differences in habitual offenders who were likely to re-offend no matter the sentence
  • ☹ prisons may increase the likelihood of recidivism- DAT- offending behaviour is a result of association with people who have criminal attitudes.
  • ☹ benefits of non custodial sentencing- restorative justice is when offenders make amends to victims- facing their conscience, can lead to changed attitudes