TOLERANCE AND THE TARIFF - SOME REFLECTIONS ON FIXING THE TIME PRISONERS SERVE IN CUSTODY

• NCJ Number: 17124
• Author(s): R HOOD
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO)
• Sale Source: Georgia Institute of Technology; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: PRESENTED TO A NACRO MEETING IN THE HOUSE OF LORD, JULY 22, 1974.

Annotation

A CRITICISM OF THE SYSTEM OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCING AND THE INJUSTICES THAT SUCH A SYSTEM MAY GENERATE, WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING PRISON POPULATIONS BY EMPLOYING SHORTER, FIXED SENTENCES AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR CHALLENGES THE DOCTRINE THAT THE ACTUAL PERIOD OF A CUSTODIAL SENTENCE SERVED SHOULD BE FIXED BY REVIEW BOARDS OF VARIOUS KINDS ADVISED, IN THE MAIN, BY PENAL AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENDER. THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND INDETERMINATE SENTENCING AND SEVERAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST INDETERMINACY ARE REVIEWED. THE AUTHOR THEN EXAMINES THE FEASIBILITY OF REEVALUATING SENTENCE LENGTHS AND CRITICIZES PROPOSALS IN THE YOUNGER REPORT ON YOUNG ADULT OFFENDERS IN SO FAR AS THEY REFER TO THE SYSTEM DEVISED FOR SETTING THE PERIOD IN CUSTODY.