(Sentences) Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages of custodial sentences:

  • Protects the public as offenders cannot harm them
  • Gives the offender a chance to rehabilitate
• Disadvantages of custodial sentences:

  • Overcrowding in prisons
  • Places in prison can cost up to £38,360
  • Prison conditions are poor
• Advantages of community sentences:

  • Could be considered "pay back" to society
  • Instil a sense of social responsibility
  • Reduce the risk of reoffending in comparison to short prison sentences.
• Disadvantages of community sentences:

  • May not always take into consideration the harm felt by the victim
  • Public perception in come quarters less favourable
  • Seen as "soft" compared to "real" penalties
• Advantages of fines:

  • Lower reoffending rates
  • Little disruption to the individual and their family and work
• Disadvantages in fines:

  • Many fines are imposed on those that consider fines part of their operating costs.
  • 20% of fines are never paid
• Advantages of discharges:

  • Low cost
  • Cause no disruption to the individual
  • Can be seen as a way to give an offender a second chance
• Disadvantages of offenders:

  • Can be seen as the offender getting away with it
  • Victim may feel that there is a lack of justice