NCJ Number
7554
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1972) Pages: 230-249
Date Published
Unknown
Length
20 pages
Annotation
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH IN GREAT BRITAIN ON THE VALUE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF PRESENTENCING REPORTS WHICH PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BACKGROUNDS OF OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE STUDIES SUGGEST THAT SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORTS ARE NOT HAVING THE FULL EFFECT HOPED FOR THEM, AND THAT THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY EFFECT SENTENCING DECISIONS WAS NOT CORRECTLY ANTICIPATED. FACTORS CONSIDERED HERE ARE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT ITEMS OF INFORMATION IN THE PRESENTENCING REPORTS, PROBABILITY OF A CHANGE OF DECISION, PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF INFORMATION ON SENTENCERS, DEGREES OF RELIANCE ON OPINIONS OF EXPERTS, AND EFFECT OF THE USE OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION IN PREVENTING RECIDIVISM. ONE STUDY SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS A POINT BEYOND WHICH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY CONFIRMS WHAT THE SENTENCER ALREADY THINKS AND THAT THEREFORE FULLER REPORTING DOES NOT EFFECT SENTENCING. INFORMATION OVERLOAD DOES, HOWEVER, SEEM TO SERVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF SPREADING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A DIFFICULT DECISION. BIBLIOGRAPHY.