Aims

• Incapacitation


  • Putting criminals in prison is necessary in the case of violent offenders or psychopaths who may not be capable of controlling their behaviour
  • The public needs to be protected
• Deterrence


  • Prison sentences should discourage the general population from committing crimes
  • If the punishment is seen as less serious, people may be willing to take the risk and break the law
  • This is a social learning approach - vicarious reinforcement
• Retribution


  • The victim and their family/friends wish to feel a sense of justice
  • The offender should be seen to pay in some way for the crime they committed - just paying a fine is insufficient
• Rehabilitation


  • Many people think that the only way to prevent criminal behaviour is through some form of education or therapy, especially in the case of offenders with mental health problems
  • Fewer distractions and potential incentives for participation