What does a consecutive sentence require of an offender?

A consecutive sentence requires that an offender complete one sentence before starting the next. This means that if an individual is sentenced to multiple offenses and receives consecutive sentences, they must serve each penalty one after the other, rather than concurrently.

For example, if a judge imposes consecutive sentences of 5 years for one crime and 3 years for another, the offender will spend a total of 8 years in prison, serving the first 5 years and then the additional 3 years, rather than serving both sentences simultaneously. This approach ensures that the total time served reflects the severity and number of offenses committed, allowing for a more structured approach to punishment and rehabilitation.