To punish or to rehabilitate: Sentencing goals as mediators between values, axioms and punitiveness towards offenders

Grace, M. L. Lau, Graham Tyson, Michael, H Bond

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperConference paperpeer-review

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Abstract

The present study explored the structure of sentencing goals in Hong Kong, relating the endorsement of these sentencing goals to punitiveness, values, and social axioms. Two dimensions of sentencing goals, Punishment and Rehabilitation, were identified. Both dimensions significantly explained punitiveness towards offenders. The psychological basis of sentencing goals was traced by testing a model that relates the two dimensions of sentencing goals and of their consequent punitiveness to values and social axioms. Results indicated that the two sentencing goals were associated with certain dimensions of values and axioms, enabling us to establish a model with sentencing goals as mediators between values, axioms and punitiveness. This model extended current research on sentencing goals and can be applied in the legal context to evaluate the court's penal practice.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationJoint Conference on Crime, Law and Justice in Chinese Societies
Subtitle of host publicationGlobal challenges and local responses
EditorsConference Organising Committee
Place of PublicationHong Kong
PublisherSchool of Law and Department of Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Pages162-173
Number of pages12
Volume10 (2009)
Publication statusPublished - 2007
EventInternational Conference on Crime, Law and Justice in Chinese Societies - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 16 Mar 200718 Mar 2007

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Crime, Law and Justice in Chinese Societies
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
Period16/03/0718/03/07

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