Advocates of general or specific deterrence support a recidivism premium on the grounds that recidivists are more likely to reoffend and need stronger disincentives. Incapacitationists argue that longer detention is required for offenders with a greater likelihood of reoffending. Most just deserts theorists support a limited sentencing discount for first offenders. State and Federal sentencing guideline systems in the United States attach great importance to criminal history information, but...
