Sloth-Nielsen, JuliaEhlers, Louise2016-05-152016-05-152005Sloth-Nielsen, J. and Ehlers, L. (2011). Assessing the impact: Mandatory and minimum sentences in South Africa. South African Crime Quarterly, 14: 15 - 222413-3108http://hdl.handle.net/10566/2199The 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.enThis journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.Criminal justice administrationCriminal lawLegislationSentencingSouth AfricaArticle