AC 2.2

• What are the aims of punishment according to the study material?

  Retribution, rehabilitation, deterrence, public protection, and reparation
• What are the different aims or purposes that punishment can have?

  • Retribution: expressing society's outrage at crime
  • Rehabilitation: making offenders change their behaviour
  • Deterrence: discouraging future offending
  • Public protection from offenders
  • Reparation: making good the harm caused by crime
• What does retribution mean in the context of punishment?

  Retribution means inflicting punishment on an offender as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
• What is the concept of 'just deserts' in retribution?

  'Just deserts' means that offenders deserve to be punished for breaching society's moral code.
• What does proportionality in punishment refer to?

  Proportionality refers to punishment fitting the crime, being equal or proportionate to the harm done.
• How does the idea of proportionality influence sentencing for crimes?

  It leads to a tariff system or fixed scale of mandatory penalties for different offences.
• What is the purpose of expressing moral outrage through punishment?

  Expressing moral outrage serves to remind society of the difference between right and wrong.
• What is a criticism of retribution mentioned in the study material?

  Critics argue that offenders deserve forgiveness, mercy, or a chance to make amends.
• How does retribution link to right realist theories of criminality?

  Retribution links to right realist theories by assuming offenders are rational actors who consciously choose to commit crimes.
• What function does moral outrage serve according to functionalist sociologists like Durkheim?

  Moral outrage performs the function of boundary maintenance by reminding society of right and wrong.
• What is the focus of rehabilitation in the context of punishment?

  Rehabilitation focuses on changing offenders' behavior so they no longer offend and can live a crime-free life.
• What are some methods used in rehabilitation programs?

  • Education and training programs for prisoners
  • Anger management courses (e.g., Aggression Replacement Training)
  • Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  • Community sentences with rehabilitation requirements
• What do cognitive theories advocate in terms of rehabilitation?

  Cognitive theories advocate for cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to correct thinking errors that lead to criminal behavior.
• What is Eysenck's personality theory's stance on rehabilitation?

  Eysenck's personality theory favors the use of aversion therapy to deter offending behavior.
• How does Skinner's operant learning theory relate to rehabilitation?

  Skinner's operant learning theory supports the use of token economies to encourage acceptable behavior among prisoners.
• What do left realist theories emphasize regarding rehabilitation?

  Left realist theories emphasize addressing social factors like unemployment and poverty to reduce offending.
• What is a criticism of rehabilitation programs according to right realists?

  Right realists argue that rehabilitation has limited success, as many offenders re-offend after such programs.
• What is the purpose of deterrence in the context of punishment?

  Deterrence aims to discourage individuals from committing crimes through the fear of punishment.
• What is the difference between individual and general deterrence?

  Individual deterrence aims to prevent the specific offender from re-offending, while general deterrence aims to deter society as a whole.
• How did the UK government in the 1980s attempt to deter young offenders?

  The UK government introduced a tough new system in juvenile detention centers to provide short, sharp shocks to deter young offenders.
• What is the role of public punishments in general deterrence?

  Public punishments serve to show society the consequences of offending, thereby deterring others from committing similar crimes.
• What is the distinction between severity and certainty of punishment?

  The severity of punishment refers to how harsh the punishment is, while certainty refers to the likelihood of being caught and punished.
• Why might a low likelihood of conviction affect deterrence?

  If there is a low likelihood of being caught and convicted, even severe punishments may not deter would-be offenders.
• What theory supports deterrence as a means of crime prevention?

  Right realism supports deterrence as a means of crime prevention.
• How does rational choice theory relate to deterrence?

  Rational choice theory views individuals as rational actors who weigh the costs and benefits before deciding to offend, thus supporting deterrence.
• What is the role of situational crime prevention strategies in deterrence?


  Situational crime prevention strategies make it harder to commit an offence successfully, acting as a deterrent.
• What is a criticism of deterrence methods like short, sharp shocks or boot camps?


  There is little evidence that such methods effectively deter youth offenders in either the UK or the USA.
• What is the recidivism rate mentioned in the study material?

  About half of all prisoners re-offend within a year of release.
• What is the likelihood of facing punishment for burglaries according to the study material?

  The likelihood of facing punishment for burglaries is very low.
• How does the likelihood of being caught affect the effectiveness of punishment as a deterrent?

  If an offender is very likely to be caught, then even a lively punishment may be an effective deterrent.
• What does right realism favor as a means of crime prevention?

  • Right realism favors deterrence as a means of crime prevention.
  • It emphasizes the role of severe punishments and the likelihood of getting caught.
• What does rational choice theory suggest about offenders?

  Rational choice theory views individuals as rational actors who weigh up the costs and benefits before deciding whether to offend.
• How can situational crime prevention strategies act as a deterrent?

  Situational crime prevention strategies, such as target hardening, make it harder to commit an offense successfully.
• How is social learning theory relevant to general deterrence?

  Social learning theory suggests that if individuals see a model being punished for offending, they will likely imitate that behavior.
• What evidence challenges the effectiveness of short, sharp shocks or boot camps in deterring youth offenders?

  There is very little evidence that short, sharp shocks or boot camps deter youth offenders in either the UK or the USA.
• What does the fact that about half of all prisoners re-offend within a year of release suggest?

  This suggests that current deterrents are not effective.
• How do offenders decide how severe a punishment needs to be for it to be a deterrent?

  Offenders weigh up the risks and benefits of committing a crime.
• What are some incapacitation policies mentioned in the study material?

  • Execution of offenders
  • Cutting off the hands of thieves
  • Chemical castration of sex offenders
  • Banishment
  • Foreign travel bans for hooligans
  • Curfews and electronic tagging
• What is the main means of incapacitation in today's societies?

  Imprisonment is the main means of incapacitation.
• How does incapacitation for public protection influence sentencing laws?

  Incapacitation for public protection has influenced sentencing laws by introducing mandatory minimum jail sentences for repeat offenders.