Scandinavian crime control ideology does not believe the criminal justice system can eliminate criminality nor that punishment can rehabilitate. Fines are the most common sanction, and the few prison terms used are usually a few months in length. That punishments should have a general preventive effect has wide support in Scandinavia. This goal is pursued by having sanctions clear, uncomplicated, and predictable without making them harsh. Noninstitutional sanctions include community service and intensive supervision. Scandinavian crime control ideology emphasizes that sanctions should not be disproportionate to the social dangerousness of the criminality targeted for control. Overall, however, sanctions for various crimes are much less severe in Scandinavia than in other countries due to the general belief in Scandinavia that harsh punishments are not more effective in deterring crime than less severe punishments.