British penal system

The British penal system is the set of laws, institutions, and procedures used to manage crime and punishment. It encompasses courts that try offenders, correctional facilities like prisons to house those convicted, and probation or community sentences to supervise offenders outside custody. The system aims to enforce laws, deter crime, rehabilitate offenders, and protect the public. It also emphasizes fair, proportionate sentencing and strives to balance punishment with opportunities for reform, reflecting principles of justice and human rights within the UK’s legal framework.