Lecture notes on Managing Offenders: Sentencing and Interventions

Recap on risk assessment
Offender risk assessment is the engine that drives an effective criminal justice system

Public safety is the core mission of criminal justice agencies

●​ Primary outcome to measure

Higher risk = More intense service (Risk principle)

Risk assessment has changed a lot over the past 30 years

Risk assessment scales now exist that also measure dynamic risk factors or ‘criminogenic needs’ (3G)
for risk reduction

While better than clinical judgement (1G) these are similar in predictive accuracy to static actuarial
risk scales (2G)

There is a gap to be bridged between risk assessment and risk management (4G assessment with role
for behavioural monitoring?)


Sentencing
-​ Prison (then on licence in community)
-​ Suspended sentence (up to two years)
-​ Community sentence (unpaid work, treatment)
-​ Fines (equal to seriousness and personal finances)
-​ Absolute/conditional discharge

Purpose of sentencing

-​ Retribution/just deserts (eye for an eye)
-​ Incapacitation
-​ Deterrence
-​ Rehabilitation
-​ Restoration/Reparation

Sentencing attitudes