I M P R I S O N M E N T
life sentence- judges set a minimum time the offender must be in prison before the parole board can consider them. After, the board will assess if release is suitable. If released, it is on a license & will be called back if terms are broken.
mandatory life sentence: given to offender for murder (discretionary sentence for rape) some given life terms
intdeterminate life sentence: sets minimum an offender has to serve. No right to release, instead up to parole board.
suspended sentence- offender is sentenced but doesn’t directly go to prison. Can be suspended up to 2 years & court may impose probation or drug treatment. If offender commits further crime, must serve original sentence
determinant sentence- sentence with one fixed length. Not all sentence is served in prison. 1- sentence after 12 months are normally ended half way through. 2- served half in prison half on community in license, recalled if breached. 3- sentenced to less than 2yrs, released with 1 yr post sentence supervision & meet with probation officer
Retribution-
prison punishes offender by taking away their freedom, however does the sentence fit the crime?
Public protection-
protects public by taking offenders out of circulation. E.g. Full life terms, indeterminate sentences consider threat to public before release, most offenders releaed under license
Deterrence-
some argue prison acts as a deterrent for committing crime, however high reoffending rates suggest it is a poor deterrent- nearly 1/2 reoffend in less than a year of release, deterrent only works if potential offenders are rational actors.
Reparations-
prison earnings act 2011: made to pay some earnings towards victims support service.
however few prisoners get to earn money while in prison this way.
Rehabilitation-
figures suggest imprisonment doesn’t meet aims. 48% reoffend within a year of release.
only 1/4 of prisoners have jobs to go to on release.
shortage of courses that address offending behaviour.