What is the purpose of sentencing?
I can explain why there are different types of sentencing and evaluate how effective each might be.
What is the purpose of sentencing?
I can explain why there are different types of sentencing and evaluate how effective each might be.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are a range of different sentences, including custodial and community sentences, fines and discharges.
- Youth sentencing is slightly different and focuses on rehabilitative imposed orders designed to reshape behaviour.
- When sentencing, judges must use guidelines that provide minimum and maximum sentences and factors to consider.
- Sentences can rehabilitate and provide retribution. Both have positive and negative points and the UK uses both.
Keywords
Sentence - the punishment given to a person found guilty in a court case
Aggravating factors - circumstances that increase the seriousness of the offence
Mitigating factors - circumstances that reduce the seriousness of the offence
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 behaviour that focuses on holding offenders accountable through punishment
Common misconception
Punishment is the only purpose of sentencing.
To try and change behaviour, rehabilitation is also needed. This aims to reduce further crime being committed.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the purpose of sentencing?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What is the purpose of sentencing?, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the What can we do to reduce crime? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
lack of grades can make employment difficult
crimes are committed as the perception is no one cares or is watching
directly or indirectly encouraged to engage in criminal behaviour
can impact decision making and lower inhibitions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the offender will never leave prison
a long sentence that must be completed in full
fixed sentence, half spent in prison and half on license
sentence not fixed, parole board decide release date