Exploring the Landscape of Sentencing for Terrorist Offenders: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The field of counter-terrorism studies has witnessed significant growth over the past two decades. Despite this growth, research on the sentencing of terrorist offenders remains relatively limited. This scoping review aims to comprehensively map this research area in terms of volume, nature, and characteristics, adopting a rigorous and transparent approach, resulting in the inclusion of 59 studies. After mapping these studies according to their general characteristics (specifically the historical and geographical distribution, and the adopted research methods), this review delves deeper into the specific characteristics of quantitative studies (including the timeframe of each dataset, the sample sizes, the coded variables and the statistical strategies used). A thematic analysis of the studies reveals key findings concerning legislation and its impact on terrorism trials, sentencing principles and guidelines, as well as specific factors influencing sentencing outcomes. Additionally, the review features recommendations for future research, as outlined in existing studies. The discussion section outlines the implications for policy and practice, presents recommendations for scholars, and reflects on the limitations of this review. In particular, a plea is made for more mixed methods-driven research within European countries, by establishing open-source databases based on official documentation.