Question 1

According to a figure in the textbook, various categories of offenders in Oklahoma, Indiana, and Kentucky consider which of the following sentences to be the most severe?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

According to the Chapter 4 table on types of punishment, ________ is a form of probation that requires closer supervision of the offender under increased rules and regulations.

Accepted Answer

Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) is a form of probation that involves closer supervision and more conditions than standard probation, aiming to provide a higher level of surveillance and control over offenders.

Question 3

A ________ investigation report is an informational source on which judges base their sentencing decision for adult felony offenses.

Accepted Answer

A presentence investigation report provides detailed background information about the defendant and the crime, which judges use to make informed sentencing decisions for adult felony offenses.

Question 4

A presentence investigation report (PSI Report) is primarily used today for ________ purposes, but also can aid in the supervision of probation offenders.

Accepted Answer

A presentence investigation report (PSI Report) is primarily used for sentencing purposes, providing the judge with detailed information about the defendant's background and the circumstances surrounding the crime to inform the sentencing decision.

Question 5

Under which of the following does the judge impose a flat sentence for a specific amount of time?

Accepted Answer

Determinate sentencing involves the judge imposing a flat sentence for a specific amount of time, without the range associated with indeterminate sentencing.

Question 6

Under which of the following does responsibility for a prisoner's release from confinement lie with correction officials (e.g., parole board) rather than with the sentencing judge?

Accepted Answer

Indeterminate sentencing allows correction officials, such as a parole board, to decide when a prisoner is released based on their behavior and rehabilitation progress, rather than having a fixed release date set by the sentencing judge.

Question 7

Judge Johnson is required by his state to refer to a matrix then issue a sentence that falls within a range of months for an offender with particular characteristics who has been convicted of a particular crime category. Judge Johnson is following

Accepted Answer

Presumptive sentencing guidelines provide a range of sentences for specific offenses and offender characteristics, which judges are generally expected to follow unless there are compelling reasons not to. This approach aims to ensure consistency and fairness in sentencing.

Question 8

The Minnesota sentencing guidelines uses these two major factors in the calculation of a sentence.

Accepted Answer

The Minnesota sentencing guidelines primarily consider the severity of the crime committed and the defendant's criminal history to calculate a sentence. This approach aims to ensure that the punishment is proportional to the offense and takes into account the offender's past behavior.

Question 9

One of the ways we have tried to reduce sentence disparities is through

Accepted Answer

The use of sentencing guidelines has been a method to reduce sentence disparities by providing a framework that judges can follow to ensure more consistent and equitable sentencing decisions.

Question 10

Requiring a prison sentence, rather than some form of community corrections, for particular crimes and some offenders is called ________ sentencing.

Accepted Answer

Mandatory sentencing requires judges to impose a specific prison sentence for certain crimes, removing or limiting the discretion normally afforded to judges in sentencing.

Question 11

________ sentencing guarantees that offenders receiving a prison sentence will serve at least 85% of that sentence.

Accepted Answer

Truth-in-sentencing laws require offenders to serve a substantial portion of their prison sentence, typically 85%, before being eligible for release.

Question 12

The use of ________ factors is a strategy that allows judges to increase sentences because of special conditions.

Accepted Answer

Aggravating factors are conditions or components of a crime that increase its severity or culpability, such as the crime being committed in a particularly cruel way or against a vulnerable victim. These factors justify a harsher sentence.

Question 13

These circumstances refer to an event or condition that makes an offense less serious than it might otherwise be and may result in a sentence lower than suggested in the guidelines.

Accepted Answer

Mitigating circumstances are factors that decrease the severity or culpability of a criminal act, potentially leading to a lighter sentence than what might be typical for the offense.

Question 14

Which version of good time is provided in a few states (California, for example) for exceptional acts of service by the inmate?

Accepted Answer

Meritorious good time is awarded for exceptional acts of service by the inmate, such as saving a life or assisting prison staff, and is available in a few states, including California.

Question 15

Good time credit received as the result of good behavior or program participation is often called

Accepted Answer

Earned good time is the credit received by inmates for good behavior or participation in programs, reducing their sentence duration.

Question 16

Time off a prison sentence given automatically when inmates serve their sentence without problems is called

Accepted Answer

Statutory good time is the time off a prison sentence given automatically to inmates who serve their sentence without problems, as determined by statute or law.

Question 17

Rudolph has pled guilty to criminal trespass and assault. Judge Tran sentences Rudolph to serve 2 years on the trespass charge and 5 years on the assault charge. However, Rudolph is allowed to serve both sentences at the same time and will be released in 5 years. In this case, Judge Tran has used

Accepted Answer

Concurrent sentencing means that an individual can serve multiple sentences at the same time. Since Rudolph is serving both the 2-year and 5-year sentences simultaneously and will be released in 5 years, this is an example of concurrent sentencing.

Question 18

According to a recent study of state good time provisions, there is considerable variation in the amount of good time available to prisoners, but the norm seems to be

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to a recent study of state...

Question 19

Evidence-based sentencing involves the use of ________ research to improve the quality of judicial decision making when determining sentence and sentencing conditions.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based sentencing involves the use of scientific research to improve the quality of judicial decision making when determining sentence and sentencing conditions, by incorporating findings from various studies to inform decisions.

Question 20

According to evidence-based practices research, sentencing to which of the following programs should be avoided since they don't reduce-or may even increase-recidivism?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that programs like adult boot camps, wilderness programs, and "scared straight" programs do not effectively reduce recidivism and, in some cases, may even increase it. These programs often lack the therapeutic components necessary for addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

Quiz 4: Sentencing