Punishment Demand and Punishment Numbers (From Policy and Theory in Criminal Justice, P 113-137, 1990, Don M Gottfredson and Ronald V Clarke, eds. -- See NCJ-130506)

• NCJ Number: 130513
• Author(s): K Pease
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Avebury Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Sentencing decisions are examined with respect to the role of numbers, preferences for particular numbers, and the relationship between sentencing decisions and public attitudes toward income inequality.

Abstract

Sentences are imposed in terms of quantities of time to be incarcerated, money to be paid, or other numbers. Analysis of the numbers used in sentencing shows that particular numbers predominate. Thus, prison sentences are generally imposed in numbers of months that are multiples of 3, 6, and 12, whereas fines and hours of services are imposed in multiples of 10. Leslie Wilkins has also suggested that a society's tolerance for income inequality parallels the variations in the severity of the punishments it imposes. Analysis of data on the degree of income inequality and punishments in the United States, Netherlands, and other countries supports this contention. Figures, table, and 35 references