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Short-term penal sanctions

In 1999, 80 % of those finally convicted were sentenced to a fine. 6 % were given an unconditional prison sentence; of which 14 % were suspended. More than two-thirds of all custodial sanctions are unconditionally suspended on probation. The suspension rate of short-term sentences is particularly high; approximately 77 % for up to six months, the quota is 65 % for suspension sentences between one and two years, which is the upper limit for a suspension in Germany.
The KrimZ gave an expert opinion to the prior Federal Minister of Justice, Prof. Hertha Däubler-Gmelin. Taking into account   the development, problems and situation of short-term penal sanctions in Germany. Main aspects were:

  • background data of persons who serve short-term penal sanctions
  • experiences with the execution of irrecoverable fines
  • how to avoid short-term imprisonment in cases of not paying a fine.

As a result, the expert opinion recommended the improvement of the execution of fines, community sanctions and electronic monitoring of offenders.

Publications

  • Sohn, Werner (1999). Expert opinion on short-term imprisonment / on behalf of the Federal Minister of Justice [German]. Wiesbaden: KrimZ.
  • Sohn, Werner (2004). Development of custodial sanctions up to two years [German]. Zeitschrift für Strafvollzug und Straffälligenhilfe 53, 264-270.