In all areas of life, decisions are rarely made that have an impact
for decades and which cannot be reviewed. Over long periods
circumstances often change which make it desirable to revisit earlier
decisions to ensure that the initial objectives are still met. Sentencing
stands apart from this process. There are offenders sentenced to
lengthy terms of imprisonment, and outside of the appeal system there
is no systematic process for reviewing the decision even if dramatic
changes have occurred since the sentence was imposed. Several
jurisdictions in the United States have implemented ‘second look’
sentencing schemes which provide a structured process for reviewing
long sentences when offenders have been in the correctional system
for many years. This provides a mechanism for ensuring that the initial
sentence is still justifiable in situations where relevant circumstances
may have materially changed. We recommend a similar legislative
framework should be implemented in Australian jurisdictions.