topic 6 - understanding the effects of punishment on recidivism

Question 1

what is recidivism?

Answer 1

it refers to the rate criminals reoffend.

Question 2

why are people put in prison?

Answer 2

prison is a typical punishment for a serious criminal act

Question 3

what does the term rehabilitative mean?

Answer 3

it refers to a programme designed to help prisoners rather than punish them.

Question 4

what does the term detention/ custody mean?

Answer 4

a prison sentence

Question 5

what is prison an example of?

Answer 5

a positive punishment as it can be used to weaken stop a behaviour occurring again due to the negative outcome.

Question 6

what is prison another example?

Answer 6

it can be a form of negative reinforcement as people will avoid prison by abiding by the law.

Question 7

how can prison be positive?

Answer 7

prison can be positive reinforcement for people that commit a crime in order to be put into prison because they find stability, routine and friendship there.

Question 8

strengths of a prison?

Answer 8

1. keeps the public safe while the offender is locked away. This is assuring to the public and reinforces the moral view that crimes will be punished to ensure civil order, it also supports the operant conditioning theory for positive punishment which predicts that behaviour which is punished will not be repeated.

Question 9

weaknesses of a prison?

Answer 9

1. ineffective because smaller criminals are exposed to other criminals while serving their sentencing. These criminals may commit crimes within prison and may be rewarded by other inmates for breaking prison rules. The reinforcement for committing crime within the prison may outweigh the punishment that prison serves for crime.
2. Prison raises ethical issues because civil liberties are removed from prisoners. This is a moral issue as some people may believe that it is immoral to lock someone up for many hours a day and remove their basic rights and privileges.

Question 10

what is a community sentencing?

Answer 10

it is when an offender is convicted of a crime and is required to serve a sentence in the community rather than the prison.

Question 11

what is community sentencing used for?

Answer 11

for common minor offences, first offences or if the court believes that a custodial sentence is appropriate.

Question 12

what does community service involve?

Answer 12

it involves voluntary or unpaid work. basically labour. Things can range from litter picking, painting, building gardens for the community etc.

Question 13

other than community service what other laws does the offender have to follow?

Answer 13

an offender may be given a curfew, be restricted from certain areas and have to report to a community offender manager.

Question 14

what are strengths of using community service as a punishment?

Answer 14

1. offenders are given a second chance. They are given another chance to make up for their crime and give back to their community. It can also prevent a new offender from going to prison where they can make criminal connections and get involved with more serious crimes, therefore, they are less likely to reoffend if they are not exposed to criminal influences.
2. it is a more suitable punishment than imprisonment. this may result in the offender less likely to reoffend because they have avoided prison which is a form of negative reinforcement.

Question 15

what are weaknesses of using community service as a punishment?

Answer 15

1. Community service may be seen as a soft option. Community service has a recidivism rate of 30% so it is not seen as an effective form of punishment and cannot be used as an alternative for prison. Also, curfews and restrictions may not prevent an offender from engaging in criminal activity as they are not locked away from society.

Question 16

what is restorative justice?

Answer 16

it refers to a practice which involves an offender meeting up or communicating with the victim or people they may have harmed during a crime they committed.

Question 17

what are strengths of restorative justice?

Answer 17

1. high victim satisfaction rate of 85%. It shows that victims are able to ask questions and communicate their point of view to an offender which may make them feel empowered and more able to move on with their lives, however, it does not take away the fact that they have been a victim of a crime.
2. there is a proven reduction in recidivism. The government research has shown that there is a 14% reduction in recidivism compared to not using restorative justice. However, as the offender has to undertake restorative justice voluntarily the results may only reflect those already contemplating a crimeless life.

Question 18

what are weaknesses of restorative justice?

Answer 18

1. it can cause distress in both the offender and the victim. This is because restorative justice involves personal contact via face-to-face meeting or by letter. However, there is a mediator who can decide whether restorative justice is necessary or beneficial and which form of contact takes place to ensure the least amount of distress felt.
2. the process of mediation involved in restorative justice can be time-consuming and costly.