NCJ Number
49477
Date Published
1977
Length
440 pages
Annotation
THE SWEDISH CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL'S CRIMINAL POLICY WORK GROUP CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE SWEDISH PENAL SYSTEM. THEIR REPORT DESCRIBES HOW THE CURRENT PENAL SANCTIONS HAVE DEVELOPED THROUGH CHANGING PENAL PHILOSOPHIES AND REFORMS AND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN MODIFIED TO FIT CURRENT NEEDS.
Abstract
THE WORK GROUPS ALSO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PENAL SYSTEMS IN DENMARK, NORWAY, AND FINLAND. THE THEORETICAL BASIS FOR THE NATION'S PENAL ACTIVITY IS ANALYZED, AND THE GROUP PUTS FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM, DETAILING THE REFORMS THAT WILL HAVE TO OCCUR TO BRING ABOUT THOSE CHANGES. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE INFLUENCE OF PREVENTION THEORIES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES TO THE PENAL SYSTEM. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DETERRENCE AND MORALITY-BUILDING STRATEGIES IS CONSIDERED. THE USE OF INCAPACITATION AS A PREVENTIVE MECHANISM IS ALSO DISCUSSED. IMPRISONMENT AND PAROLE ARE EXAMINED, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF AVERAGE PRISON TERMS AND THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUMS IN EFFECT. THE USEFULNESS OF AND JUSTIFICATION FOR SENTENCING GUIDELINES AND SCALES ARE CONSIDERED. A REVIEW OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS COVERS PAROLE, PROBATION, OPEN PRISON, AND INTENSIVE SUPERVISION. THE EVER-POPULAR ECONOMIC SANCTION IS DISCUSSED, AND THE FEE SCHEDULES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF CRIME (INCLUDING CORPORATE) ARE EXAMINED, ALONG WITH THE USE OF DAY FINES PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENT PLANS. A LOOK AT PENAL RESPONSES TO SPECIAL OFFENDER GROUPS COVERS SANCTIONS FOR JUVENILES, ALCOHOLICS, AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. REFORMS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE WAY THESE GROUPS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH ARE REVIEWED. A DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS COVERS SUCH INNOVATIONS AS WEEKEND AND NIGHT PRISON, SANCTIONS TIED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OTHER RETRIBUTIVE MEASURES, AND MORE. A FINAL SECTION DEALS WITH PENAL-RELATED ISSUES, SUCH AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES, CUMULATIONS OF SENTENCES, AND SENTENCING LAWS IN COMBINATION.