Custodial sentencing

• AO3:

  LIMITATION:

  • negative effects on psychological health
  • Bartol 1995 said that offenders felt that prison was brutal and demeaning
  • Ministry of Justice reported 119 sucides in 2016 which is 29% higher than 2015 (the guardian 2017) equates to 1 every 3 days which is 9X higher then general pop
  • most vulnerable are young single men during the 24h of confident
  • Prison reform trust reported that 25% of men and women report symptoms of psychosis
  • supports the view that oppressive prison regimes have a detrimental effect on prisoners health
• AO3

  LIMITATION

  • figures in Prison Reform Trust study dont include the number of inmates experiencing psychotic symptoms before they were incarcerated
  • Those convicted may have pre-existing psychological at the time they were convicted - even explain their offending behaviour
  • Importation model argues that prisoners may import psychological problems its unclear if this is a problem w the prison regime or something else - ie trauma of being locked away regardless of what the prison is like

  Suggests there may be confounding variables that influences link between prison + psychological effects
• AO3

  • Provides opportunity for training and treatment
  • aim of imprisonment is rehabilitation - become better during prison their improved character means they may lead a crime free life upon release
  • access education when in prison increasing possibility they'll find employment upon release
  • Vera Institute of Justice said offenders who take part in education programmes are 43% less likely to reoffend when released
  • prisons who offer these programmes report fewer incidents of violence

  Prison can be worthwhile experience assuming offenders have access to these programmes