What factors contribute to individuals receiving short custodial sentences of 12 months or less despite the existence of the presumption against short sentences?

Background

The Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice aims to support rehabilitation, use custody only where there is no alternative and work to reduce reoffending and revictimisation. It also aims to establish an effective, modern person-centred and trauma-informed approach to justice in which everyone can have trust, including as victims, those accused of crimes and as individuals in civil disputes. As such, Justice Analytical Services have identified the theme of ‘Sentencing Prisons & Rehabilitation’ as a research priority. Robust research on offenders, their rehabilitation and sentencing patterns will inform work towards these aims.

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Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

Justice analytical services areas research interest

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Related UKRI funded projects


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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically focuses on offender rehabilitation and supervision, including the impact of post-release supervision on recidivism for individuals receiving short custodial sentences, aligning with the question's inquiry.

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    The project focuses on understanding sentencing patterns and rehabilitation of offenders, which directly relates to the question about factors contributing to short custodial sentences.

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    The project investigates compliance and breach in criminal justice social work, shedding light on factors that may lead to short custodial sentences despite the presumption against them.

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    Partially addresses the question by focusing on risk assessment and recidivism, but does not directly address factors contributing to short custodial sentences.