This question starts after an offender has been found guilty and is to be sentenced.
This is the key part of the Legal Studies syllabus that pertains to the question:
4. Sentencing and punishment
• statutory and judicial guidelines
• the purposes of punishment: deterrence (specific and general), retribution, rehabilitation, incapacitation
• factors affecting a sentencing decision: aggravating and mitigating circumstances
• the role of the victim in sentencing
• appeals
• types of penalties including: no conviction recorded, caution, fine, bond, suspended sentence, probation, criminal infringement notice, penalty units, community service order, home detention, periodic detention, forfeiture of assets, imprisonment, diversionary programs
• alternative methods of sentencing including circle sentencing, restorative justice
• post-sentencing considerations, including security classification, protective custody, parole, preventative detention, continued detention, sexual offenders registration, deportation
SOURCE: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/legal-studies.html pp. 19-20.
Further: Elements of 5. Young Offenders and 6. International Crime could be referred to as well.
Some points, cases, legislation and media that were used / could have been used in student responses:
Sentencing process:
• statutory and judicial guidelines
Statutory and judicial guidelines inform the exercise of judicable discretion in the area of sentencing. They aim to provide greater uniformity in sentencing matters and