Sentencing Reform - The Search for Information (From Review of Australian Criminological Research, P 106-112, 1985, David Biles, ed.)

• NCJ Number: 100561
• Author(s): J Chan
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper develops the rationale for sentencing reform in Australia and describes current research efforts to assist in such reform.

Abstract

Although the ultimate sentencing aim is to maintain order in society, whether this is done through deterrence, rehabilitation, or restitution, the effectiveness of sentencing in achieving this purpose is unclear. In this situation, the emphasis is thus on avoiding proven costly and ineffective options. In effect, this has meant reduction of the use of imprisonment. The most effective structure for enforcing sentencing policies is an independent sentencing commission composed of judicial members. This is a compromise between legislative intervention and the current ''laissez faire' approach of Australian sentencing policies. The purposes of research to assist sentencing reform are to obtain information on current sentencing practices and assess the effects of alternative sentencing policies. Australian research has been hampered by the absence of statistical information on the sentencing of Federal offenders. A small-scale study is examining sentencing decisions in a local court which specializes in Federal cases. The danger of sentencing reform is that it will proceed from politically popular ideas rather than research findings. 11 footnotes.