NCJ Number
129154
Date Published
1989
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This analysis of sentencing goals, policies, practices, and effectiveness in Great Britain argues that community-based penalties should normally be used and that changes in legislation, policies, and programs are needed to achieve this goal.
Abstract
The analysis focuses on the types of community-based sanctions currently available, the barriers to the greater use of these penalties, ways of overcoming these problems, and methods of organizing and providing community-based sanctions. Recommendations include legislation creating a clear presumption in favor of community-based sanctions in all cases, the elimination of the availability of imprisonment for less serious offenses and fine defaults, and training of sentencers regarding community-based penalties. Other recommendations include strengthening the fine as a sanction, an increase in the number of probation day centers, the use of probation orders as sentences in their own right, the use of community service orders only for cases that would otherwise result in custodial sentences, and the elimination of fully suspended sentences and deferred sentences. 173 references and appended list of committee members and meetings