Protects the public in cases of violent offender or psychopaths who might not be capable of controlling behaviour
Punishment and reducing recidivism
Decreases the chances of behaviour being repeated
Believed to be the reason why most do not commit crime
Deterrence
Prison sentencing should deter others
If sentencing was too lenient, people might be more willing to take the risk of breaking the law
Retribution
The victim and their friend/family wish to feel a sense of justice being done
The offender needs to be seen to pay in some way for the crime they committed
Rehabilitation
Education and therapy is believed by many to prevent criminal behaviour
Having a person in prison may offer the best solution - therapy without distraction and sometimes with incentives to participate
Psychological effects
De-individuation
Depression, Self-harm and suicide
Overcrowding and lack of privacy
Effects on the family
De-individuation
A psychological stat in which individual have lowered levels of self-evaluation (eg when in a crowd or under the influence of alcohol) and decreased concerns about evaluation of others
EG, Zimbardo illustrating the loss of identity when uniforms are given
Depression, Self harm, and suicide
Feelings of hopelessness, anxious about the future and lacking any control
Overcrowding and lack of privacy
We don't have enough prison space for the increasing numbers in prisons
It's commonplace for more than one inmate to be in a room
this has consequences on the psychological state of prisoners; increased aggression, stress and increased physical illness
Effects on the family
The financial and psychological effects on surrounding family are considerable
Parents in prison feel guilt and suffer seperation anxiety (Glover 2009)
