Changes in the Subjectively Experienced Severity of Detention: Exploring Individual Differences

A core assumption underlying deterrent sentencing and just deserts theory is that the severity of imprisonment is merely dependent upon its duration. However, empirical research examining how inmates’ subjectively experienced severity of detention (SESD) changes as a function of the length of confin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Raaijmakers, Ellen A. C. (Author)
Contributors: Keijser, Jan Willem de ; Nieuwbeerta, Paul ; Dirkzwager, Anja J. E.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2017
In: The prison journal
Year: 2017, Volume: 97, Issue: 5, Pages: 644-668
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
Just deserts
Severity of detention
Specific deterrence
Description
Summary:A core assumption underlying deterrent sentencing and just deserts theory is that the severity of imprisonment is merely dependent upon its duration. However, empirical research examining how inmates’ subjectively experienced severity of detention (SESD) changes as a function of the length of confinement remains sparse. This study assesses changes in inmates’ SESD over the course of confinement and seeks to explain this process. Multilevel analyses revealed considerable change in the SESD over the course of confinement. Although individual characteristics are related to inmates’ initial SESD, they are not related to their pattern of change in SESD over the course of confinement.
ISSN:1552-7522
DOI:10.1177/0032885517728902