Just Sentencing
Principles and Procedures for a Workable System
Richard S. Frase
Reviews and Awards
"Richard Frase's trailblazing Just Sentencing is the most ambitious and successful book yet written on sentencing reform in America. It authoritatively blends bodies of knowledge and experience - on normative theories of punishment, the effects of sentencing changes since 1975, and the operations of criminal courts - that are usually kept apart . If American policy makers want to create systems of sentencing that are better, fairer, and more just, Frase has shown them the way." --Michael Tonry, Professor in Law and Public Policy, University of Minnesota, and Senior Fellow, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement
"What would a sensible sentencing structure look like in the second decade of the 21st century? How does one even think about such a question? How should one evaluate whether one has achieved all that can be achieved in structuring sentencing decisions? This book boldly addresses these and other questions, proposing a sentencing model that takes into account both what is known about sentencing, crime, and the criminal justice system while simultaneously considering what is likely to be acceptable to various groups. Whether or not one agrees with Richard Frase's conclusions to each of the difficult questions he addresses is, perhaps, less important than the incontrovertible fact that each of the areas he examines involves questions that cannot be avoided. This is a 'must read' book for anyone contemplating designing a rational and defensible structure for sentencing." --Anthony Doob, Professor of Criminology, University of Toronto
"Richard Frase has for decades contributed immensely to the theory and practice of sentencing reform. Just Sentencing is his crowning achievement. The ambition of this project is enormous: Frase sets out to develop an intellectually cogent theory of criminal punishment and a set of procedures and rules for implementing that theory. What is truly remarkable is that he has been successful. Frase's proposals are theoretically, politically, and practically justified. Every jurisdiction seeking to balance public safety, public resources, respect for offenders and victims, and the social and other costs of mass incarceration should consider Frase's analysis and proposals." --Kate Stith, Lafayette S. Foster Professor of Law, Yale Law School
"...This ambitious and complex model proposes a uniform approach to sentencing that would ameliorate the problems endemic to the current penal system... [Frase's] review of past theories and overview of existing models should prove useful to academics... Recommended." --CHOICE
