Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
Punishments in Modern Britain (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Rosanna Killick
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Punishments in Modern Britain - Timeline
Punishments in Modern Britain - Summary
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.
The Abolition of the Death Penalty
Since the medieval era, the death penalty was always the ultimate punishment
After public hangings were abolished in 1868, the government began to gradually reduce the number of capital offences
Modern Britain saw more debates over the use of the death penalty
Arguments against the death penalty eventually won out
In 1965, the death penalty for murder was abolished
Table of arguments for and against the death penalty for murder
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 |
Cost - the death penalty saves taxpayers money. The alternative to 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 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 |
Changes to Modern Prisons
From c1900, prisons began to focus more on rehabilitation than deterrence and harsh punishments
This is largely because of changes in society’s beliefs and attitudes
Most people stopped believing in the idea of a ‘criminal type’
They recognised that other factors, like poverty, caused crime
More people believed that reform was possible
They thought that more humane treatment and education of prisoners could stop them from reoffending
Table of changes to modern prisons
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 |
In addition to positive changes, modern prisons have recently faced challenges
Modern Alternatives to Imprisonment
Prisons have proven ineffective in decreasing crime
This is due to many reasons:
They do not address underlying issues
Factors like poverty, addiction and personal issues drive crime
Prison does not remove these issues from society
Costs
It is expensive to maintain inmates and pay staff
Recent budget cuts have made this even more difficult
Mixing
Experienced criminals often negatively influence younger criminals
Recidivism
In the UK, 75% of ex-inmates re-offend within nine years of release
These issues encouraged governments to try various alternatives to prison
Specialised Treatment of Young Offenders
The increased emphasis on rehabilitation also applied to young offenders
Many believed that young people would be easier to reform because their characters were still being shaped
Deterrence and harsh punishment were only the focus when youth crime rates were high
Table of places and institutions for young offenders
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 the release | Attendance centres were designed to educate 10- to 21-year-olds. Offenders attended daily or weekly classes in literacy, numeracy and practical skills, like cooking and managing money | 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 |
Today, custodial sentences for young offenders are used as a last resort
They are only issued if the following interventions have failed:
Fines
For parents or guardians who do not control their children
Emotional support, e.g.
Counselling
Therapy
The care system
Some young people are removed from homes that are deemed to be contributing to their criminal behaviour
They are instead placed in care
Collaboration
Between youth courts, the police, schools, social workers and probation officers
Non-custodial punishments, e.g.
Community service
Curfews
Electronic tagging
Worked Example
Explain one way in which prisons in modern Britain have changed
4 marks
Answers:
In modern Britain, prisons have changed in that they better prepare prisoners for life after their release. (1) Teachers are recruited to educate prisoners and improve their employment prospects (1). Many modern British prisons also give prisoners training and work experience. (1) Open prisons allow prisoners to leave the grounds each day for work (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that this paper goes up to the present day, so you can always use recent examples from the news to talk about change and continuity in the prison system.
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