Sentencing Paper

Sentencing is very important and usually the last stage of the criminal process. The purpose of sentencing is to punish the criminals while at the same time stopping crime from continuing. The five philosophical reasons for sentencing are retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and restoration. Retribution is the philosophy that those who commit criminal acts should be punished based on the severity of the crime and that no other factors need be considered. Deterrence is the strategy of preventing crime through the threat of punishment. It assumes that potential criminals will weigh the costs of punishments versus the benefits of the criminal act so then the punishments will more then likely be more severe. Incapacitation is a strategy for preventing crime by detaining wrongdoers in prison, separating them from the community and reducing criminal opportunities. Then there is rehabilitation, which is the philosophy that society is best served when wrongdoers are not simply punished, but provided the resources needed to eliminate criminality from their behavioral patterns. Restoration is a sentencing goal that seeks to address the damage by making the community and the victim “whole again”.

Sentencing is important in the process. Sentencing philosophies or the justifications, on which various sentencing strategies are based, are joined with issues of religion, morals, values, and emotions. Sentencing a criminal can be from probation to sentenced to death. It consists of fines, probation, imprisonment or death. Fine is where you have to pay a certain amount. They are often used for minor violations, such as a speeding ticket. Fines are used when a person has no criminal record and the ability to pay. Probation is a sentenced served while under supervision by a supervising officer, which can withdrawal your ability to be in your community. Imprisonment is to confine someone, to take away an individuals freedom. Sentenced to death means that is was a higher crime, to where the criminal has no bail, no fines, no freedom, and the actual process of killing an individual. The relationship between sentencing and punishment is that in front of a judge who is going to tell you the consequences of your own actions.

If I had to choose to modify the sentencing process to reduce recidivism rate, I would have to say to be stricter on the punishment. If the first sentence is strict, it will allow the criminal to learn that doing a crime can take away your freedom for more then a couple days, or even on probation. I believe that is the reason why there is repeating and ongoing crimes. Overall, I think that the sentencing process is done accordingly.