The continuum of sanctions refers to a broad array of sentencing and punishment options that range from simple fines to incarceration and ultimately end with the death penalty. The reason for this variety of sanctions is manifold. Identify and define the top three reasons for the variety of sanctions.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Perhaps chief among the reasons is the desire to calibrate the sanction in a manner that is commensurate with the type of criminal behavior. This means that sanctions should be selected in such a manner that allows us to, through an additive process, weight the seriousness of the sanction, as well as the number of sanctions that are given, so that the punishment effect is as proportional to the crime as can be arranged. In addition to the desire for proportionality, there is another reason for the use of varied sanctions: the desire to save beds in prisons. The reason for this has to do with a shift in ideologies and, more specifically, the rising costs of imprisonment. Another rationale for this continuum is associated with treatment purposes. The purpose of treatment is to provide lesser sanctions to offenders who show progress in treatment, and more serious sanctions can be administered to offenders who prove to be dangerous or a nuisance to a given facility.