Treatment of criminals

• Corporal punishment


  physical punishment to the offender ( illegal in UK)
• Protection


  Keeps society safe from criminals
• Deterrence


  the attempt to discourage criminality through the use of punishment
• retribution


  Length of sentence fits crime committed
• Reformation


  Work is done to change criminal for the better
• Reparation


  Criminal might be encouraged to meet their victim and make up for what they have done
• vindication


  Sentences are lengthy for serious criminals, so the law is respected.
• Concerns about prisons

  - conditions aren't conducive to reform.

  
  

  - Debate over which crimes should result in prison.

  
  

  - How can putting bad people with bad people reform any of them - may lead them down slippery slope. Crime carries on in prisons - drug use, gangs, assaults, violence, threats.

  
  

  - Most prisoners reoffend, so prisoners aren't effective but they're costly (about £45, 000 per prisoner in UK).
• 3 Aims community service fulfils

  Reformation- positive change

  Deterrence- orange jackets make people aware of them being on community service

  Retribution- the project matches the crime- society is getting them back
• Concerns about community service

  -Not enough projects available - many not suited to crimes committed so it's not helpful.

  
  

  -Seen as too soft an option and often doesn't bring reform.

  
  

  -Monitoring and management are often poor, so those sentenced to community service don't complete hours or are badly behaved, without any punishment or reprisal.
• 2 contrasting beliefs about corporal punishment

  Some Christians support this as they believe in the importance of discipline. In the Bible it says, ‘He who spares the rod hates their children but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them’.It teaches the offender a lesson so that they won’t reoffend.

  Many Christians oppose corporal punishment as they focus on positive sanctions that help offenders to see the error of their ways and reform. They think that it doesn’t treat people with respect.
• Quote to help Christians reform

  Jesus said, 'love thy neighbour.' Many Christians believe we should show agape to everyone and do the most loving thing e.g. help the individual to reform.
• Quote to treat prisoners with compassion

  Jesus said, 'I was in prison and you visited me.' This inspires Christians to treat prisoners with compassion and consider how they may be helped as well as punished for their wrongdoings.