What are the effects of indeterminate and long determinate custodial sentences on
deterrence from crime? What are the effects of long custodial sentences on the
offender, outcomes on release and public protection?

Background

The objective for MoJ is to develop a sustainable and effective prison and probation service that protects the public, delivers interventions that break the cycle of reoffending and rebuilds confidence in the criminal justice system. We want to divert adults, children and young people away from crime. Our evidence interests span a range of areas through all stages of the justice system, with a particular focus on improving holistic systems-wide understanding of what works to improve outcomes.

Next steps

Get in touch with [email protected]

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Understanding Offender Rehabilitation and Supervision

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on offender rehabilitation and supervision, which is related to the effects of custodial sentences on deterrence and public protection.

  • Make Time Count Today - Reducing criminal reoffending on probation through data analytics, predictive behaviour recognition and optimised interventions

    **Problem Addressed** Crime costs UK economy over £58bn pa, with 1.2mn people convicted annually. Of these, 87% have previous convictions, 60% of released prisoners and 30% on probation reoffend within 12 months. ...

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    Lead research organisation: MAKE TIME COUNT TODAY LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses the effects of custodial sentences on deterrence from crime and public protection through data analytics and interventions.

  • Long-term imprisonment from young adulthood: a longitudinal follow-up study

    Due to a hardening of penal sensibilities and more stringent sentencing practices (mainly as a result of the 2003 Criminal Justice Act), a growing number of prisoners are serving extremely long sentences from an early ag...

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on the effects of long-term imprisonment on individuals and their experiences within the criminal justice system.

  • ADR UK Data First Evaluation Fellowship

    Until recently, the large amounts of administrative data routinely collected about offenders as they are moved through the Criminal Justice System have been inaccessible to research. Instead, our understanding has largel...

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    The project explores the potential of linked data in understanding criminal justice journeys, which could partially address the question on the effects of custodial sentences.

  • Evaluating the long-term impact of Release on Temporary License (ROTL)

    Release on temporary licence (ROTL) provides eligible people currently in prison the opportunity to prepare for resettlement in the community through day or overnight release. The intended impact of ROTL is to reduce reo...

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  • A multi-cultural comparative study into the influence national level variations have on desistance from crime

    NERC: Jessica Cleary: ES/P000681/1 Using qualitative interviews with participants involved in criminal justice interventions, collected in Québec (Canada) and Scotland prior to the exchange, this project will expl...

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  • Lives Sentenced: The Punishment Careers of Persistent Offenders

    There has been little research examining how those who are punished by the criminal justice system experience and give meaning to their sentences. Research that does exist has largely focused on one single sentence. Howe...

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    Lead research organisation: University of Glasgow

  • Plymouth Community Justice Court: A Case Study of Problem Solving Interventions, Reducing Re-offending and Public Confidence

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  • Regulating Justice: The Dynamics of Compliance and Breach in Criminal Justice Social Work in Scotland

    Not only does Scotland imprison more people than most European countries, but our prison numbers are also rising despite a fall in crime levels. The Scottish Government is attempting to reduce imprisonment through increa...

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  • Optimising the risk assessment of violent recidivism: a retrospective cohort investigation

    In England and Wales, it is currently estimated that one in four individuals convicted of a serious violent offence will reoffend within two-years. In the Criminal Justice System (CJS), risk assessment tools are used ide...

    Funded by: ESRC

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on risk assessment of violent recidivism, which is directly related to the effects of custodial sentences on deterrence from crime and public protection.

Similar ARIs from other organisations

Sentencing, Prisons & Rehabilitation - Sentencing What factors contribute to individuals receiving short custodial sentences of 12 months or less despite the existence of the presumption against short sentences? Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services, 2025
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