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GCSE · Thematic Studies

RS.TE3 Treatment of Criminals: Prison and Community Sentences

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used when discussing the treatment of criminals.

(a)State what is meant by a custodial sentence.(1)

(b)State what is meant by a community sentence.(1)

(c)State what is meant by probation.(1)

(d)State what is meant by restorative justice.(1)

(e)State what is meant by rehabilitation.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three facts about how criminals are treated in the UK criminal justice system.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two religious teachings about how criminals should be treated. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting views, religious and/or non-religious, about whether prison or community sentences better treat criminals. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

This question is about the treatment of criminals through prison and community sentences. It is the AQA-style 24-mark, five-part question: parts (a) to (d) are worth 12 marks; part (e) is the 12-mark evaluation.

(a)State what is meant by a community sentence.(1)

(b)Give two examples of requirements that can be included in a community sentence in England and Wales.(2)

(c)Explain two religious teachings that support the reform of offenders while they are being punished. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.(4)

(d)Explain two contrasting views about whether prison or community-based approaches better help an offender to reform. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority or another source in your answer.(5)

(e)Evaluate this statement: 'Community sentences are always a better way to treat criminals than prison.' In your answer you should: refer to religious teaching, refer to different points of view, reach a justified conclusion.(12)

(Total for Question 5 is 24 marks)

Explain two non-religious arguments about the treatment of criminals. Refer to Humanist or other non-religious beliefs in your answer.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give three facts about restorative justice as it is used in the UK.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TE3 Treatment of Criminals: Prison and Community Sentences

Question 1

(a) B1 a sentence that requires an offender to spend time in prison, oe
(a) Answer: A sentence that requires an offender to spend time in prison.
(b) B1 a sentence served in the community rather than in prison, often including requirements such as unpaid work or supervision, oe
(b) Answer: A sentence served in the community rather than in prison, often including requirements such as unpaid work or supervision.
(c) B1 the supervision of an offender in the community, by a probation officer, either instead of prison or after release from prison, oe
(c) Answer: The supervision of an offender in the community, by a probation officer, either instead of prison or after release from prison.
(d) B1 a process that brings an offender and a victim together, often with a trained facilitator, so the offender can understand the harm caused and make amends, oe
(d) Answer: A process that brings an offender and a victim together, often with a trained facilitator, so the offender can understand the harm caused and make amends.
(e) B1 helping an offender to change their behaviour, e.g. through education, therapy or training, so they do not reoffend, oe
(e) Answer: Helping an offender to change their behaviour, e.g. through education, therapy or training, so they do not reoffend.

Question 2

B1 adult prisons in England and Wales are categorised by security level, from Category A (highest security) to Category D (lowest security, open prisons), oe
B1 a community sentence can include requirements such as unpaid work (Community Payback), a curfew enforced by an electronic tag, or a rehabilitation activity requirement, oe
B1 the Probation Service supervises offenders serving community sentences and those released from prison on licence, oe
Answer: Any three: prisons are categorised A to D by security level; community sentences can include unpaid work, curfew/tagging or a rehabilitation activity requirement; the Probation Service supervises offenders in the community.

Question 3

B1 point 1: many Christians believe caring for those in prison is a religious duty, not something to be avoided, oe
B1 development: 'I was in prison and you came to visit me' (Matthew 25:36) is part of Jesus's teaching about how his followers should treat the vulnerable, oe
B1 point 2: many Muslims believe showing compassion to those in need, including prisoners, is a mark of true faith, oe
B1 development: the Qur'an praises those who give food, despite loving it themselves, 'to the needy, the orphan, and the captive' (Qur'an 76:8), oe
Answer: E.g. Jesus's teaching on visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:36); the Qur'an's teaching on caring for the captive (Qur'an 76:8).

Question 4

B1 view 1: some argue prison is necessary for serious or violent crime, to protect the public and provide a proportionate punishment, oe
B1 development: this can be supported by the proportionate justice described in Exodus 21:23-25, oe
B1 view 2: others argue community sentences better suit many lower-level or non-violent offences, allowing offenders to make reparation while keeping employment and family ties, oe
B1 development: UK reoffending data has repeatedly shown lower reoffending rates for community sentences than for short prison sentences of a similar length, which some cite in support of this view, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: prison as necessary for serious crime (Exodus 21:23-25) vs community sentences as more effective for lower-level offending, supported by UK reoffending data.

Question 5

(a) B1 a sentence served in the community, rather than in prison, often with conditions attached, oe
(a) Answer: A sentence served in the community, rather than in prison, often with conditions attached.
(b) B1 unpaid work, e.g. Community Payback, oe
(b) B1 a curfew enforced by an electronic tag, oe
(b) Answer: E.g. unpaid work (Community Payback); a curfew enforced by an electronic tag (also accept: a rehabilitation activity requirement, a drug rehabilitation requirement, an exclusion requirement).
(c) B1 point 1: the parable of the prodigal son teaches that a wrongdoer who turns back can be welcomed and forgiven, oe
(c) B1 development: 'his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son... and kissed him' (Luke 15:20), oe
(c) B1 point 2: many Muslims believe repentance (tawbah) is always possible, however serious the wrongdoing, oe
(c) B1 development: 'do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins' (Qur'an 39:53), oe
(c) Answer: E.g. the welcome given to the repentant son in the parable (Luke 15:20); Allah's mercy for the repentant (Qur'an 39:53).
(d) B1 view 1: some argue prison provides structured time, e.g. for education and training programmes, that can support genuine reform for serious offences, oe
(d) B1 development: this can be supported by teaching that even serious wrongdoing can be followed by genuine change, as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), oe
(d) B1 view 2: others argue community-based approaches, such as restorative justice, better support reform because the offender remains connected to their family, employment and community, oe
(d) B1 development: this view can draw on the general principle in Qur'an 39:53 that mercy and a path back are always available, best supported by remaining part of a community, oe
(d) B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority or another appropriate source made accurately, oe
(d) Answer: Contrast: prison as offering structured reform for serious offences vs community-based approaches as better preserving the ties that support genuine change.
(e) L4 (10-12): A well-argued, balanced answer that considers more than one point of view in a developed way, using accurate and detailed references to religious teaching and/or scripture to support each point, and reaches a clear, justified conclusion.
(e) L3 (7-9): A clear and reasoned answer that considers more than one point of view, supported by relevant references to religious teaching and/or scripture, though the justification of the conclusion may be less developed.
(e) L2 (4-6): A reasoned answer that considers at least one point of view, with some relevant supporting evidence, but with limited or no consideration of an alternative view.
(e) L1 (1-3): One or more relevant points are made, but with little or no supporting evidence and no reasoned conclusion.
(e) L0 (0): No relevant content.
(e) Indicative content:
- Note for markers: this question can be answered with either conclusion; credit any well-supported argument, whether it agrees, disagrees, or takes a middle position.
- Agree: community sentences allow offenders to keep employment and family ties, and UK reoffending data has repeatedly shown lower reoffending for community sentences than for short prison terms.
- Agree: teachings such as the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and Qur'an 39:53 emphasise that reform and mercy matter most, which some argue is better supported outside prison.
- Agree: restorative justice, often used alongside community sentences, can give victims a voice and help offenders understand the harm caused in a way a prison sentence alone does not.
- Disagree: for serious and violent crimes, many argue prison is necessary to protect the public and to provide justice proportionate to the harm caused, as in Exodus 21:23-25.
- Disagree: a community sentence may not feel like a real consequence for a very serious crime, and some argue this could undermine victims' confidence in the justice system.
- Disagree: not every offender is suited to a community sentence, e.g. where there is an ongoing risk to public safety, so 'always' is too strong a claim.
- A balanced answer might conclude that the best treatment depends on the seriousness of the crime and the risk posed, so neither prison nor community sentences are always better, but each is more appropriate for different cases.

Question 6

B1 point 1: many Humanists argue that sentencing decisions should be based on evidence about what most effectively reduces reoffending, rather than on tradition or a sense of just deserts alone, oe
B1 development: this leads many Humanists to support rehabilitation-focused approaches, such as education and treatment programmes, wherever evidence supports them, oe
B1 point 2: some argue that the cost and effectiveness of different sentences to society should be weighed carefully, rather than assuming prison is always the most serious or effective response, oe
B1 development: on this view, resources should go towards whichever approach, prison or community-based, most reduces future harm, oe
Answer: E.g. an evidence-based, rehabilitation-focused Humanist argument; a cost-and-effectiveness argument about which sentence best reduces future harm.

Question 7

B1 it can involve a meeting between a victim and an offender, facilitated by a trained mediator, oe
B1 it is used across both the youth and adult criminal justice systems in the UK, oe
B1 it aims to give victims a voice and to help offenders understand and take responsibility for the harm they caused, oe
Answer: Any three: can involve a facilitated victim-offender meeting; used in both youth and adult justice systems; aims to give victims a voice and hold offenders accountable.

Treatment of Criminals: Prison and Community Sentences - Worksheets, Questions and Revision