purpose of punishment

• Reformation


  The punishment aims to change the behaviour of the offender in the future so that they no longer offend
• Reformation


  1. Learning about what you have done wrong and resolving not to do it again

  2. Helping with your behaviour e.g. psychological help to change violent behaviour

  3. Practical help which tries to give you an alternative to going back to crime when you are released e.g. learning a new skill which you can use to get a job when released
• The time, effort and money spent on reforming criminals


  Could instead be spent on the victims of crime
• The re-offending rates are so high that it suggests that reform doesn't work so is a waste of money that could be better spent on things that would benefit society
• Some reform programs can be seen as too soft and beneficial to offenders, when homeless people on the streets have a worse experience
• Deterrence


  Aims to put people off committing the crime in the first place, or from reoffending
• Deterrence


  • Overly harsh punishments to deter for example, chopping off a hand for theft
• Deterrence


  Sets an example (usually negative) of what will happen if we do wrong ― so that we choose not to
• Deterrence can take place before the crime ever happens, therefore preventing crime
• To deter someone from committing a crime

  The sentence may be harsher than the offender deserves
• If punishments are overly harsh they can lead to unhappiness in society as people feel oppressed and fear the state
• Retribution


  The idea that the punishment should fit the crime, or be equal to it
• Retribution


  A form of 'payback' or revenge
• Retribution


  Can mean restoration ― where the offender is able to right their wrong and restore things to right (for example, community service fixing vandalism if the crime was vandalism)
• Retribution is a form of revenge which is a negative emotion and simply increases pain and suffering
• You cannot effectively have retribution for certain crimes — how do you pay someone back like for like when they have committed violent/sexual crimes?
• The idea of retribution can be seen as 'coming down to their level' and the state should be against that. For example, with the death penalty — if the state does the same thing to the offender doesn't it become just as bad?
• Protection


  The aim of the punishment is to protect both the offender and society from their offending behaviour
• Protection


  1. Likely to involve a custodial sentence for someone who is a danger to society

  2. Could include aspects of reform to stop the offender committing another offence so that people are protected from further harm
• If there aren't reform programs put in place and we just lock people up to keep society safe, then they can come out worse which doesn't protect society long term
• Is it fair/right/humane to lock someone up for the rest of their lives without trying to reform them?
• When we lock up violent criminals, someone still needs to work with them —aren't we putting the safety of prison guards at risk?
• Christian view on Retribution

  Most Christians think you should not take revenge yourself, but allow justice to take place
• Christian view on Deterrence

  Christians would oppose using someone as an example to warn others off. It is not moral to only avoid crime because you are scared of the consequences
• Christian view on Protection


  The strong should protect the weak, but it must be the proper solution. Some criminals also need to be protected from themselves
• Christian view on Reformation

  Very important for Christians. You should have the chance to be forgiven and change for the better. People should be helped to fit into society
• Utilitarian view on Protection

  Creates greatest happiness /good for everyone. It can protect the offender from society
• Utilitarian view on Reformation

  Will bring a positive outcome for both the offender and society. If the offender is reformed then they are no longer a danger, making it safer. It may give greater happiness for the offender if they can change and have a second chance
• Utilitarian view on Deterrence

  Would reduce crime so create more happiness. However, they may be against it if punishment used is too harsh as this can bring about more suffering
• Utilitarian view on Retribution

  May create more suffering for the criminal and their families. Cannot undo suffering but can prevent more
• Deterrence supported if it works and prevents or reduces crime, as this would create a happier and safer society