Exploring Sentencing:
Sentencing Theory and Practice in Contemporary Criminal Justice
Call for Papers
The sentencing of offenders and judicial decision-making in this area are complex processes influenced by a multitude of factors intended to achieve various objectives and evaluated according to different, often controversial criteria. The factors that influence sentencing and assessments of its effectiveness begin with penal ideologies regarding punishment and its purposes, which are typically translated into more detailed principles related to sentencing. These ideologies typically stem from the traditional contrast between the retributive approach—which seeks to make the offender pay for their wrongdoing through penalties proportionate to the offense—and a utilitarian or consequentialist emphasis on preventing future crimes and reoffending. Furthermore, there have been various attempts to reconcile these two frameworks in a constructive manner, or to break away from them entirely and explore alternative rationales for punishment. These penal ideologies can have a significant impact on sentencing decisions, and changes to them can radically reshape sentencing outcomes.