Custodial sentencing

• aims

  1. Deterrance
  2. Incapacitation
  3. Retribution
  4. Rehabilitation
• Psychological effects


  Stress and depression - suicide rates are higher in prison than in general population, self harm, stress of prison also increases risk of developing psychological disorders following release

  Institutionalisation - having adapted to norms and routines of prison life inmates may become so accustomed to these that theyre no longer able to function on the outside

  Prisonisstion - 'inmate code', unnaceptable behaviour ecouraged in prison
• problem of recidivism


  recidivism refers to reoffending - rates in ex prisoners tell us how effective prison is as deterrent

  difficult to obtain clear figures for recidivism rates for various reasons eg whether you're looking at reoffending within a year of release or longer period, typically in UK ministry of justice reports proven figures within one year of release - UK figure about 45% recent years.

  norway - 20% as more emphasis on rehabilitation