Assessing the impact: Mandatory and minimum sentences in South Africa
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Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
Abstract
The legislation passed in 1997 that provides for mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes was
recently extended for another two years. At the time, the aim was to reduce serious and violent crime,
achieve consistency in sentencing, and satisfy the public that sentences were sufficiently severe. This article
argues that the legislation has achieved little or no significant impact with regard to these goals. Instead,
many agree that the provisions have exacerbated the problem of overcrowding in South African prisons.
Description
Keywords
Criminal justice administration, Criminal law, Legislation, Sentencing, South Africa
Citation
Sloth-Nielsen, J. and Ehlers, L. (2011). Assessing the impact: Mandatory and minimum sentences in South Africa. South African Crime Quarterly, 14: 15 - 22