Chapter 15 - Sentencing & Punishment

What shifted the focus on the goals of corrections in the early 1900s?

Rehabilitation

What marked the change in death penalty practices over time?

The death penalty was once widely used and public; now it is debated and no longer public.

What is retribution in the context of sentencing?

A punishment proportionate to the seriousness of the offense, providing societal revenge without aiming to reform the offender.

What is incapacitation in sentencing?

The goal to prevent crime by physically removing the offender from society.

What is the purpose of deterrence in sentencing?

Preventing crime by punishing offenders as a warning to others.

What does rehabilitation aim to address in offenders?

It views criminal behavior as a result of social, economic, or psychological deficiencies that need correction.

What is restoration in the context of sentencing?

Focusing on the harm caused to individuals or the community and promoting responsibility and restitution from the offender.

What are the two types of deterrence?

General deterrence, aimed at the general population, and specific deterrence, aimed at preventing future crimes by individual offenders.

What is recidivism?

The tendency of released prisoners to reoffend and return to prison.

What is restorative justice primarily concerned with?

The needs of those who have been harmed.

What is probation?

A sentence that allows offenders to stay in the community under court supervision.

What is restitution in the context of sentencing?

Compensation made by the offender to the victim for losses caused by the offense.

What is the difference between concurrent and consecutive sentencing?

Concurrent sentences are served simultaneously, while consecutive sentences are served one after another.

What is indeterminate sentencing?

A sentence with a range, such as 5-10 years.

What is determinate sentencing?

A fixed term of incarceration defined by statute.

What is the 'three-strikes' law?

A law requiring long sentences, including life without parole, for those convicted of a third serious felony.

What is truth in sentencing?

A requirement for offenders to serve a significant portion of their sentence before release.

What are some concerns with truth in sentencing laws?

Cost, extension to non-violent crimes, and federal involvement in state sentencing.

What is proportionality in sentencing?

The belief that punishment should relate directly to the severity of the crime.

What is mandatory sentencing?

A sentencing method that imposes specific punishments for specific offenses without discretion.

What is a pre-sentence investigation (PSI)?

A detailed report on a defendant's background submitted to the judge before sentencing.

What are victim impact statements?

Statements expressing how a crime has affected the victim and submitted for consideration during sentencing.

What rights do crime victims have under the Connecticut Victims Bill of Rights?

Rights include fair treatment, timely case resolution, protection from the accused, and involvement in the court process.

Which state was the first to implement stalking laws?

California.

What are aggravating factors in death penalty cases?

Factors that worsen the case, such as prior convictions or multiple murders.

What are mitigating factors in death penalty cases?

Factors that lessen the severity of the case, such as mental illness or minor participation in the crime.

What is a suggested reform to address racial disparities in the death penalty?

Implement transparency measures in prosecutorial decision-making.