How does sentencing in England and Wales compare to elsewhere?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe different countries’ approaches to sentencing and evaluate their effectiveness.
Key learning points
- Different countries use different sentencing guidelines, some are rehabilitation focused others are retribution focused.
- Scotland uses a different legal system to England and Wales and therefore has different sentencing guidelines.
- Custodial sentencing exists everywhere but can look very different, e.g. Norweigan prisons are theraputic and home-like.
- Youth justice is different depending on the country and how they view culpability for this age.
Keywords
Sentencing - the process of giving a punishment to a person found guilty in a court case
Rehabilitation - in this context, the process of returning to, or helping someone return to, a healthy or good way of life, after they have offended
Retribution - a response to criminal behavior that focuses on holding offenders accountable through punishment
Reoffending - when someone commits another crime after previously being convicted or punished for one
Common misconception
All countries sentence in the same way as each other.
Although sentencing within a country follows sentencing guidelines, these can vary vastly between each other, e.g. the USA is able to pass the death penalty in some states.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to consider the reasons for different types of sentencing rather than just focusing on the initial justice.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the sentence type to its description.
spending time in prison
carrying out work to pay back your local area
paying money
no further punishment
Q2.Which might be classed as rehabilitation focused sentencing?
Q3.Which might be classed as retribution focused sentencing?
Q4.What do victims also need to receive via sentencing?
Q5.Order these UK sentences with the harshest and most severe first.
Q6.What is the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which two countries share a legal system?
Q2.What age do Scotland view young offenders?
Q3.In Scotland, why are judges discouraged from giving prison sentences of 12 months or less?
Q4.What is a factor used to decide how effective a country's sentencing is?
Q5.Why do Norway spend a lot of money on prison and prisoners?
Q6.Complete this sentence: In Norway the use of a prison sentence is seen as a last ...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: How does sentencing in England and Wales compare to elsewhere?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: How does sentencing in England and Wales compare to elsewhere?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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