Meaning & use
non-custodial
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivebefore a nounlegal
Relating to a legal punishment that does not involve sending someone to prison.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'a non-custodial sentence'; it is not usually used after a verb.
Patterns
- a non-custodial sentence
- a non-custodial penalty
The judge decided that a non-custodial sentence was appropriate because the crime was minor.
He received a non-custodial penalty, including a fine and 100 hours of community service.
Campaigners argue that non-custodial punishments are more effective for young offenders.
Common combinations
- non-custodial sentence
- The court gave her a non-custodial sentence of two years' probation.
- non-custodial penalty
- A non-custodial penalty such as a heavy fine may be enough to deter some offenders.
- non-custodial options
- The report recommends more non-custodial options for non-violent crimes.
- receive a non-custodial sentence
- He received a non-custodial sentence and was ordered to pay compensation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- community-based
- Community-based describes punishments carried out in the community; non-custodial is the legal term that contrasts with prison.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: non-custodial or non-custodial parent?
non-custodial vs non-custodial parent
In family law, 'non-custodial parent' means the parent who does not have the child living with them most of the time. This is a different use from the criminal justice sense.
Practice
Which of these is a non-custodial sentence?
Choose one answer.
A non-custodial sentence does not involve prison; a fine and community service are served in the community. The other options all involve some form of custody or detention.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “non-custodial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.