Sentencing Trends & Issues No 34 — Trends in the use of s 12 suspended sentences

A decision to impose a suspended sentence of imprisonment is not a straightforward exercise. The sentencer must first be satisfied that no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate, set the term of the sentence without regard to the manner it is to be served, and then consider whether any alternative to full-time imprisonment is available given the term set and the circumstances of the case.This paper discusses trends in the utilisation of suspended sentences.