The following are a few pros of determinate sentences:
fairness. A system that gives offenders the same basic sentence for a crime is presumptively fairer than a system where some offenders of the same crime get released and others stay in confinement.
efficiency. A determinate system saves a state time and money as judges can impose a sentence without a parole board having to meet to determine a release date.
reduction in crimes. Analysts say crime rates will decrease since offenders will know exactly what sentence a crime will result in.
A few cons of determinate sentencing include:
more inmates. The idea is that indeterminate sentencing results in lower prison populations since parole boards can grant early release.
less flexibility. Similarly, parole boards provide flexibility to sentencing since they can release people early and let them start a new life.
less of a rehabilitative value. An indeterminate system says a parole board can release an inmate once he/she has rehabilitated (a major tenet within the criminal justice system). This is not a major factor in a determinative system since parole boards have little to say in release decisions.