Report Reviews Deterrent Effects of Imprisonment

18 April 2011

The Council has released a report that considers previous research into whether prison sentences are effective in deterring crime.

Does Imprisonment Deter? A Review of the Evidence examines a number of empirical and criminological studies conducted over the last 10 years in Australia and internationally. These studies have sought to answer such questions as:

• Does the threat of imprisonment deter potential offenders?
• Does an increase in the severity of penalties result in a corresponding decrease in offending?
• Does the experience of imprisonment deter offenders from reoffending after they are released from prison?
• What are the factors that might limit the effectiveness of deterrence?

Deterrence is one of five statutory purposes for sentencing in Victoria. The paper notes that, although imprisonment may have only a limited deterrent effect, the use of imprisonment can still be justified to achieve the purposes of punishment, denunciation, protection of the community or to provide time for rehabilitative treatment.

Does Imprisonment Deter? A Review of the Evidence is available on this website.