Treatment of criminals

• Prison


  Imprisonment is a form of punishment where the criminal is locked in a secure guarded building for a period of time
• Christian view on prison


  • Provides retribution
  • Provides deterrence
  • Provides opportunity for reform
  • Protects people/public
  • Prisoners should not be forgotten or mistreated but instead educated and prayed for
  • Based on Jesus' quote "I was in prison and you visited me"
• Muslim view on prison


  • Protects society from criminals
  • Prisoners must be treated with dignity as all humans have the sanctity of life
  • For some crimes, prison may not be enough - "eye for an eye"
  • Not a good enough deterrent and atonement
• Corporal punishment


  Physical pain being inflicted on the criminal as a punishment
• Christian view on corporal punishment


  • Most Christians would not support it because of the harm it causes
  • Christians should be compassionate and forgive
  • Should focus on reformation
  • Some may think it is acceptable based on the Bible quote "I will punish their sin with a rod"
• Muslim view on corporal punishment


  • May be okay due to the Quran teaching "cut off the hands of thieves"
  • Good deterrent and retribution (more effective than prison)
  • Used in countries such as SA and Iran that follow Sharia
• Community Service- criminal does a set number of work in their community

  Most favourable for Christains as it gives a chance for reform. All are sinful and should be given a second chance. It is important to teach criminals and help them learn why their actions were wrong. Community service helps them to learn why it is important to do good.

  Muslims support reformation as forgivness is important in islam but islam also emphasies the importance of retribution and so community service may not be a strong enough justice