Deterrence

Question 1

what is deterrence?

Answer 1

criminal penalties dont just punish violators, but also discourage other people from committing similar offenses.

Question 2

what percentage of criminals reoffend within one year of leaving prison after a short sentence (under 12 months)?

Answer 2

63%

Question 3

what percentage of criminals reoffend after a suspended sentence?

Answer 3

54%

Question 4

aim of individual deterrence

Answer 4

ensure an offender doesnt reoffend

Question 5

example of individual deterrence

Answer 5

suspended sentence as imprisonment will occur if further crimes are committed, in hopes of preventing future offending.

Question 6

what does the recidivism rate suggest?

Answer 6

recidivism rate suggests that many prisoners arent deterred from committing crimes as reoffending rate is nearly 50% within a year of release.

Question 7

prisons as universities of crime

Answer 7

prisons are universities of crime as they provide novice criminals with opportunities to learn from more experienced criminals.

Question 8

universities of crime links to social learning theory

Answer 8

Bandura’s social learning theory states that we learn violent or illegal behaviours from watching others and learning from them. Therefore, experienced criminals in prison would teach novice prisoners how to commit crime better.

Question 9

aim of general deterrence

Answer 9

to prevent potential offenders from committing a crime. however, often the impact of a sentence with a deterrent element is weakened by it relating to someone else.

Question 10

problems with general deterrence

Answer 10

not directly affecting individuals
punishments not always publicised
general view that sentencing is too lenient