Punishments in Modern Britain (Edexcel GCSE History)

Modern Britain has largely moved away from the harsh punishments of previous eras. This is the result of many changes. Since c1900, the welfare state has greatly developed. This has made the protection of all citizens more of a government priority. The brutality of two world wars has made the use of capital punishment less popular. Similarly, more people now appreciate the varied causes of crime. This has strengthened the idea that rehabilitation is possible.

These changing ideas have also affected prisons. Conditions have improved, though challenges remain. For minor crimes especially, custodial sentences are now more likely to be a last resort. In many cases, there is now a preference for non-custodial sentences. This is especially the case for young offenders.

Arguments for the death penalty for murder

Arguments against the death penalty for murder

Protection - the death penalty removes dangerous criminals from society and stops them from murdering again

No positive impact on society - when other European countries abolished the death penalty, murders did not increase

Deterrence - the harsh and lethal nature of the death penalty is enough to put people off committing murder

Spontaneity - because most murders are unplanned, murderers generally do not consider their punishment. This makes it unlikely that the death penalty is an effective deterrent

Retribution - the seriousness of the death penalty reflects the seriousness of murder. It is the right level of punishment for the crime

Religious and humanitarian ideas - many religious people object to the death penalty based on their belief in the sanctity of life. They promote forgiveness instead
After the Second World War, many took a more humanitarian approach to justice. The horrors of the Nazi regime, particularly the Holocaust, added to the growing feeling that the death penalty was barbaric. Britain’s signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also reflected this attitude

Cost - the death penalty saves taxpayers money. The alternative of life imprisonment is very expensive

Mistakes - wrongful convictions can happen. In such cases, the death penalty is an irreversible error and a miscarriage of justice
Three highly-publicised cases helped contribute to the abolition of the death penalty for murder in Britain:

1. Timothy Evans was wrongly accused of murdering his wife and daughter. He was executed by hanging in March 1950

2. Derek Bentley, despite calls for mercy, was executed by hanging in 1953

3. Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in 1955. She was convicted of murdering David Blakely, a man who was abusing her

Abolition of old practices

Gradual improvement of conditions

Better preparation for release

The abolition of pointless hard labour has given prisoners the chance to engage in more meaningful work

Better cells, heating and diets have made living conditions more comfortable for prisoners

Teachers are recruited to educate prisoners and improve their employment prospects

The abolition of solitary confinement has allowed prisoners to mix with one another, reducing the risk of isolation

Prisoners are now allowed to have more outside visitors. This can improve their emotional wellbeing

Open prisons allow prisoners to leave the grounds each day for work

Borstals

Attendance centres

Youth detention centres

Young offender institutions

Borstals were designed to keep young male criminals away from older criminals. They became similar to boarding schools, with structured days and strict rules alongside education and sport. Sentences ranged from six months to two years. They were abolished when it became clear that most reoffended after release

Attendance centres were designed to educate 10- to 21-year-olds. Offenders attended daily or weekly for classes in literacy, numeracy and practical skills, like cooking and managing money

Today, attendance centres are used for 18- to 24-year-olds. They encourage offenders to consider the impact of their crimes on the community

Youth detention centres replaced borstals. They were introduced at a time when youth crime was increasing. Their tough, military-style approach to discipline failed to deter young people from committing crimes

Young offender institutions have many of the same rules as prisons. They are used for boys aged 15-17 and young adult men aged 18-21. They aim to reform young offenders so that they do not live a life of crime