New Dimensions in Sentencing Reform in the Twenty-First Century

Source: (2003) Oregon Law Review. 82(1): 1-32. Downloaded 8 September 2004.

In Robert Mosteller’s perspective, many factors persist that make positive sentencing reform problematic. At the same time, he contends, other factors have converged at the beginning of the twenty-first century to make such reform more likely than has been the case for many years. Those factors favorable to sentencing reform are not likely to stay in alignment for a long period of time, he believes. Mosteller therefore counsels progressive reformers to act with urgency in advancing reforms in sentencing. With all of this in mind, Mosteller explores a dominant theme in reform – reintegration of offenders into society. He discusses factors impeding reform, factors favoring reform, restorative justice as a new model in sentencing, and restorative justice in relation to reintegration.