Wright - Deterrence in Criminal Justice
state and fed incarceration rates increase
recently sentencing policy goals: enhancing deterrent effect of crim justice system
conceptualizing deterrence
increases certainty of punishment, offenders may be deterred by risk of apprehension
severity of punishment may influence behavior
problems:
assumes that ppl consider the consequences before they act
most crimes don’t result in an arrest and conviction
in order for sanctions to deter, potential offenders need to be aware of sanction risks / consequences
certainty vs severity of punishment
economic costs of more severe sentences