Purpose
The Sentencing Academy is a research and engagement charitable incorporated organisation dedicated to developing understanding of sentencing in England and Wales and informing public debate.
It promotes an evidence-based approach to sentencing and encourages effective sentencing practices that reduce re-offending, provide justice to victims, and promote public confidence.
Our work is diverse and broad, covering sentencing for both youths and adults from out of court disposals through to release from custody and post-release conditions. We act as a hub for a growing network of researchers active in this field of work, commissioning, and co-ordinating original and experimental research.
Our Work
We offer a range of services as follows:
- Research reviews
- Commissioning and co-ordinating original and experimental research.
- Knowledge exchange and discussion seminars
- Bespoke practitioner learning and development seminars.
- Developing early career professionals through our Intern Programme
- Engaging with policy makers and key stakeholders
- Evidence led consultation response
- Awareness raising and access to expert knowledge and resources for the general public.
- Encouraging partnerships and collaborations
The Sentencing Academy Team

Professor Julian Roberts KC (Hon)
Co-Executive Director
The Sentencing Academy Trustees
Section Title
Totality comes into play when one of two situations arises during a sentencing exercise: Where someone is being sentenced for multiple offences and where an offender is already serving an existing...
The Sentencing Academy has submitted a response to the Independent Sentencing Review 2024 to 2025. You can read our response below and also an additional technical appendix that sets out further...
Leading experts in the field of sentencing gathered to explore important and current sentencing-related issues at a seminar jointly hosted by the Sentencing Council, Sentencing Academy and The City...
In what promises to be a busy year for sentencing in England and Wales, with an Independent Sentencing Review currently underway, the Sentencing Academy is delighted to welcome two new members of...
The Sentencing Academy is delighted to be co-hosting, with the Sentencing Council and The City Law School, a day-long event – ‘Perspectives on Sentencing’ – on Friday 10...
The Sentencing Academy has published a new report, authored by Julian V. Roberts, Lilly Crellin, Jonathan Bild and Jade Mouton, that examines public knowledge of, and attitudes to, imprisonment. The...
The Sentencing Academy has published a new report, authored by Professor Kathryn Hollingsworth, Dr Jonathan Bild and Professor Gavin Dingwall, that explores what children above the above of criminal...
By Sarah Sawyerr JP In a truly fair and democratic society, its justice system should treat everyone equally under the law. When those laws are broken and an individual comes before the criminal...
The Sentencing Academy held a roundtable to launch two groundbreaking reports on public opinion and sentencing at City Law School on 16 September 2024. Professor Peter Hungerford-Welch, one of our...