The Deterrent Effect of Subjective Sentence Severity: A Neglected Element in Testing Deterrence Theory

• In Event: The Deterrent Effect of Sanctions on Re-offending

Abstract

The deterrent effect of a sanction is supposed to be stronger if it is imposed with more certainty and speed, and if the sanction is more severe. Regarding sentence severity, the perceptual deterrence research demonstrates that even though a significant relation is sometimes found between perceptions of sentence severity and reoffending, effect sizes are negligible. However, this conclusion may not be entirely justified as an important element has been neglected so far: subjective sentence severity. While sentence severity is typically assessed using the length of a prison term (i.e. the intended severity), little is known on how severe inmates themselves experience the pain of their imprisonment (subjective sentence severity). Accordingly, while deterrent effects of the intended severity may be negligible, it is unclear to what extent this conclusion holds for deterrent effects of subjective sentence severity. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess how the subjective severity of imprisonment is related to reoffending. Longitudinal data of the Prison Project were used, a large scale research project comprising self-report data from inmates both during incarceration until 18 months after release. These data comprise detailed information on inmates’ subjective severity of imprisonment as well as their reoffending behavior.

Authors

• Ellen Raaijmakers, Leiden University

• Jan de Keijser, Leiden University

• Thomas Loughran, University of Maryland

• Paul Nieuwbeerta, Leiden University

• Anja Dirkzwager, NSCR