The Construction of Lithuanian Prison Sentence Assumptions in Critical Criminology Perspective: an Analysis of the Goals of Imprisonment

The declared aims of custodial sentencing worldwide and in Lithuania are to protect society from crime reduce recidivism; it is agreed that these can be achieved only when the duration imprisonment devoted prisoner’s gradual return (UNODC 2015). However, newest Lithuanian strategic documents note system does not promote change prisoners’ criminal habits, offender resocialization fragmented, prison staff carries out protection surveillance, social help (LR Vyriausybė 2021b). By building upon ideas constructionism tradition (Berger Luckmann 1999) critical criminology (Christie 1999; Hulsman 1997; Quinney 2004; Mathiesen 2006), this paper analyzes context penal system’s reform specifies possible implementational problems imprisonment. Document analysis showed raising naming conditioned by commitment international organizations projects, as well cascading political agenda. In Lithuania, purposes continue relatively general instrumental. They used justify current future means while expected correctional facilities provide long-term positive influences on a person fulfill quantitative indicators. We presume integration ideas, main aim sentencing, “imprisoned” discourse, which lacks much chance for success.