custodial sentencing

• aims of custodial sentencing -

  • deterrence - unpleasant prison experience is designed to put off individual (and society in general) from offending
  • incapacitation - offender taken out of society to prevent them reoffending as a means of protecting the public
  • retribution - society is enacting revenge for offence by making offender suffer and level of suffering should be proportionate to the seriousness of offence
  • rehabilitation - upon release offenders should leave prison better adjusted and ready to take their place in society
• psychological effects of custodial sentencing -

  • stress and depression - suicide rates considerably higher in prison than general population - also self mutilation and self harm
  • institutionalisation - inmates adapt to norms and routines of prison and may no longer be able to function on the outside
  • prisonisation - way prisoners are socialised to adopt 'inmate code' - behaviour considered unacceptable in outside world may be encouraged and rewarded inside walls of institution
• problem of recidivism -

  • refers to reoffending - recidivism rates in ex-prisoners tell us to what extent prison acts as effective deterrent
  • difficult to obtain clear figures for recidivism rates
  • uk reprots proven figures within one year of release (about 45%)
  • reoffending rates vary with time period after release, age of offender, crime committed and country
  • US, Australia and Denmark regularly report rates in excess of 60%