Criminal Deterrence and Sentence Severity : An Analysis of Recent Research

Von Hirsch, Andrew; Bottoms, Anthony E.; Burney, Elizabeth; Wikstrom, P-O

ISBN 10: 1841130516 / ISBN 13: 9781841130514

Published by Hart Publishing, 1999

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 3385622-n

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Criminal Deterrence and Sentence Severity : An Analysis of Recent Research
• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1841130516
• ISBN 13: 9781841130514
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The Insitute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge recently undertook,at the behest of the Home Office, a comprehensive study of the literature on criminal deterrence, concentrating on recent research. The result, published in this book, examines the popular claim that 'deterrence works'. That it works in general terms is beyond dispute, but the claim most favoured by law-makers is narrower: that tougher sentences have a direct impact on criminal behaviour, limiting the number and severity of offences committed. This study seeks to discover the truth of that claim.

Deterrence as a penal aim, is a broad subject, hence the authors of this work decided to look at two elements of recent research. First they looked at studies which examine the marginal deterrent effects of changing the certainty of punishment, that is, of altering the likelihood of an offender's being apprehended and convicted for a crime. Secondly they looked at studies of the marginal deterrent effects of altering the severity of punishment through changes in sentencing policy. It is their evaluation and analysis of the latter which is the principal focus of the work, and which will make the book essential reading for all those interested in sentencing and penal policy.

About the Authors

Andreas von Hirsch was Emeritus Honorary Professor of Penal Theory and Penal Law at the Cambridge University, and Honorary Professor of Penal Theory at the Law Faculty, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany. Much of his earlier writing has appeared under his anglicised name, Andrew von Hirsch.

Anthony E Bottoms is Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge and Life Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.