Empirical evidence was used to judge whether previous assessments, specifically the 2001 Halliday Report and 2004 Civitas Report of the potential of sentencing frameworks to contribute to crime reduction and public confidence remain sound. This chapter revisits this empirical research evidence on the extent to which criminal justice systems can, through adjustments in their sentencing framework, achieve reductions in crime by means of reform/rehabilitation, deterrence, or incapacitation. In addition, the chapter addresses concern over evidence published by the Home Office showing that the altered structural arrangements of the new, post 1998, English youth justice system have substantially reduced reoffending and concern over the extent to which sentences specifically designed as alternatives to prison really are applied to persons who would otherwise be sent to prison. Tables, notes, and references