NCJ Number
176656
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The history of the prison system in England is considered in terms of the use of incarceration as a response by society to crime, a response that has gained prominence in recent years in response to increasing crime rates.
Abstract
Following a discussion of social reactions to crime, victim fear of crime, and crime detection, the author estimates that about 7 percent of offenses are detected and 3 percent result in a conviction or a caution and that 2 percent of criminals are convicted. In sentencing, courts realize that two of their prime objectives are to reflect the seriousness of the offense and to prevent a repetition of the offense. Custodial sentences meet the first objective of sentencing because they demonstrate society's disapproval of crime. In terms of the second objective, as long as offenders remain in custody, they will probably not be able to commit the type of offense for which they have been sentenced. On the other hand, individuals sent to prison are unlikely to be in a position to pay victim compensation. Alternatives to custody are examined, along with offense circumstances and consequences, individual stages in the sentencing process, mandatory sentences, and public reactions to the use of custody.