NCJ Number
80645
Editor(s)
M Nasberg
Date Published
1980
Length
238 pages
Annotation
Fourteen papers on sentencing, sentencing guidelines, and sentence values in relation to crime describe experiences in the Swedish, Finnish, U.S., and Eastern European justice systems.
Abstract
The papers deal with such basic issues in sentencing as classifying types and degrees of severity of deviant behaviors. They also consider society's right to punish, the benefits as well as the expenses of punishment, and the ability to dispense equal justice. Two Swedish papers test general public knowledge of the penal system and punishment meted out for certain types of crime -- an important issue when discussing deterrence. Sentencing reforms in Finland are discussed, with particular reference to new legislation setting down general sentencing guidelines or rules. Furthermore, sentencing practices in Sweden and the Netherlands are analyzed throughout the 1960's and 70's showing that, even without specific legislation, patterns do change and courts do consciously or unconsciously make sentencing decisions within unwritten but understood guidelines. A look at Eastern Europe indicates the expansion of crime types since the 1950's and the sentencing trends. Erlich's econometric model of crime is investigated, as is Becker's model for determining the most cost-beneficial sentences for crimes. A final paper examines the development and use of sentencing guidelines in the United States. For individual papers, see NCJ 80646-80657.