12M analyses success of custodial Flashcards
high reoffending rates
- It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent.
- This can be seen in terms of the high reoffending rates after [short term] custodial sentences.
- Evidence of this is according to GOV.UK in July 2023, adults released from Custodial sentences of less than 12 months had a proven reoffending rate of 55.1%.
- Arguably, this shows that prisoners with short term sentences are often ineffective and many prisoners go on to reoffend after their sentence.
- However, it can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent as reoffending rates amongst those serving sentences longer than 12 months are substantially lower than those serving less than 12 months.
- Evidence of this is according to GOV.UK in July 2023 those with sentences of 12 months or more reoffend at a low rate of 21.7%.
- Arguably, this shows that if prisoners are in prisons longer than a year, they are less likely to reoffend than those who are in prison for less than a year.
It can be argued that custodial responses are not fully successful responses to crime to an extent. This is because the amount of money budgeted by the government spent on housing prisoners is extremely high. Evidence shows that from 2022-23 the budget Scotland allocated was around £3 billion for criminal justice, in 2024 to imprison someone cost the taxman £37,000. Arguably this shows custodial sentences are not fully successful as too much is being spent on keeping prisoners in prisons and not enough on other important issues.
It can be argued that custodial sentences are not fully successful responses to crime to an extent. This is because large amounts of money are spent on custodial sentences for each individual prisoner. Evidence of this is according to Statista 2023 the average cost of a prison place in England and Wales was £46,696 a year. Arguably, this shows that in the UK keeping prisoners in jail is a very costly process.
Cost
health and safety
more serious crimes
It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent. This is because when considering the most serious crimes committed, custodial sentences can be effective by depriving someone of their freedom and is therefore a good form of punishment. This is effective because it is a form of justice that can help the victim to achieve closure if they feel that the prison is a fair punishment. Evidence of this is the killers of Brianna Ghey, who are both aged 16 have been sentenced to life in prison due to the brutal and planned murder they carried out in February 2023.
It can be argued that custodial sentences are successful responses to crime to an extent. This is effective because it is a form of justice that can help the victim to achieve closure if they feel that the prison is a fair punishment . This is evident in the Karen Buckley case when her murderer Alexander Pacteau must serve a minimum of 23 years before he can apply for parole. Arguably this shows custodial sentences to crime are successful to an extent as families of victims may gain a sense of justice if the perpetrator is sentenced to prison such as in the case of Karen Buckley as her murderer was sentenced to 23 years of service, which may have brought some clarity to her family
