4.The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Sect 142) specifies the purposes of Essay

4.The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Sect 142) specifies the purposes of sentencing. Discuss the extent to which prison sentences can fulfil these purposes - Essay Example Lack of sentence implementation or lesser sentences being given leads to an increased crime rate. Even in the United States of America reforms are being considered at every level for the implementation of sentences and to make them consistent9. Steven Levitt10 found that the states that sent fewer criminals to jail had a higher rate of crime as compared to the states that had a higher prison population11. The fear of having a sentence implemented can lead to a falling crime rate. Many Reform advocates also imply that the crimes and criminals can only be controlled by implementation of severe and longer sentences12. General Edward Levi also considered the inability to prison many criminals, the reason behind rising crime rates in America13. Not only judicial entities but also public in the United States of America are of the mind that the judiciary should adopt a tougher approach towards criminals, as only this can be now seen as an appropriate solution to the problem. A study revealed that prison growth rate is directly co related to decreased crime rates14. In the 1980’s mandatory sentences were implemented in the USA. As a result the 90’s saw a decrease in burglary by 50%, robbery rate fell by one third, and rate of car theft also dropped15. Sentence implementation also leads to building public confidence in the judiciary and the government. A feeling of being looked after prevails. When the government appears to be tackling offenders and crime with a tough stance, it leads to an increased sense of public safety16. Increased prison sentencing lead 75% of Americans reporting they felt safe17. Stephen Levitt and Daniel Kessler18 looked into the effects of the implementation of California’s Proposition 8. The legislation had really tough counter crime sentences. It allocated decades of imprisonment to the recurrent offenders. The passing of the law lead to an 8% decrease in the