Teacher Resource 5

Understanding the aims of sentencing (Suggested answer)

1. Complete the chart below.

Most suitable punishment e.g.

Theory Aim of theory
prison

Retribution Punishment set down as a means of Prison or heavy fine

revenge or vengeance on an
offender for carrying out a criminal
act or omission

Denunciation Public or judicial condemnation Prison, heavy fine or community

through the punishment of an sentences (e.g. giving maximum 300
offender carrying out a criminal act hours)
or omission

Incapacitation The type of sentence where the Prison, heavy fine

effect positively prevents the
offender from future offending

Deterrence The sentencing of an offender in Prison, heavy fine or community

order to discourage future criminal sentences (e.g. giving maximum 300
actions through the instillation of hours)
fear of the consequences of repeat
offending

Reform/ Rather than punish, the aim of this
Rehabilitation sentence is to restore the criminal’s
behaviour back to normal life
through training or therapy.
Supportive.
Suspended prison sentence,
commensurate fine, community
sentences (including education or
drug-rehabilitation) or discharges

Reparation The action of ensuring the criminal Fine, community sentences

makes amends for their actions so
they provide payment or other
assistance to those they have or
others who have been wronged.

Version 1 1 © OCR 2017

The Legal System
 2. Complete the chart below. The first one is completed for you:

Most likely aim(s) of sentence

Most suitable punishment(s)
used

Sarah robs William at  Retribution  Prison sentence

knifepoint in a street in  Incapacitation proportionate to crime
order to steal his
expensive mobile
‘phone for “a laugh”.

Archie, the father of a  Reform and rehabilitation  Discharge (most likely)

6-month old baby,  Deterrence (possibly)  Community sentences
steals infant milk
formula because he is
unemployed.

Ahmed beats up an  Denunciation  Lengthy prison sentence

asylum seeker who  Deterrence
has moved into a
hostel next door.

Wendy breaks into a  Reparation  Fine

shed in a back garden.  Deterrence (possibly)  Community sentences
Inside, she smashes
up some garden
equipment. The
damage is estimated at
£650.

Jemma regularly  Denunciation  Community sentences

shouts abuse at her  Reform and rehabilitation
husband and hits him
when she is drunk.

Boris, 15, takes a car  Reform and rehabilitation  Community sentences

and crashes it into a  Deterrence
another parked car. He
says he is “bored”.

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within these resources.
© OCR 2017 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this work.
OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: n/a
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OCR Resources: the small print

OCR’s resources are provided to support the delivery of OCR qualifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board, and the
Version
decision 1 2 lies with the©
to use them OCR 2017
individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions
within The
theseLegal System
resources.
© OCR 2017 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this work.
OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: n/a
Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk