Punishment and Sentencing : A Rational Approach

First published in 2001, Punishment and Sentencing provides a way of introducing principle into sentencing. This is done by bridging the gap between the philosophical justification for punishment and sentencing law and practice. In terms of the interests it deals with, sentencing is the most important area of law. Ironically it is also arguably the least coherent. Nearly three decades ago sentencing was described as a wasteland in the law. Unfortunately, little has changed in that time. Sentencing decisions are often made in accordance with the idiosyncratic sentiments of sentencers, rather than on the basis of binding rules and principles.

Part A of the book provides an overview of current sentencing law and practice. Part B critically examines the main contemporary theories of punishment. Part C discusses the implications that this has for the sentencing process. It is a useful text for students of criminology, law and philosophy courses, as well as a valuable resource for criminal law practitioners.

Professor Mirko Bagaric is an internationally renowned expert in punishment and sentencing. Before joining Swinburne University, he was the Dean and Head of the Law School at Deakin University from 2003 to 2006 and 2012 to 2015. He was the Dean of the Swinburne Law School from 2019 to 2022. He is also a member of Human Rights Advisory Panel of the 57th Queensland Parliament. Professor Bagaric is the author or co-author of over 30 books and 200 articles which have been published in leading Australian and international journals.