7- Purposes Of Criminal Sanctions

Question 1

List the 5 purposes for criminal sanctions

Answer 1

1. Just punishment / retribution
2. Deterrence
3. Rehabilitation
4. Denunciation
5. Protection

Question 2

Explain what just punishment / retribution achieves.

Answer 2

The offender is punished to an extent which is just in all circumstances.

Society must also feel avenged, so they do not take punishment into their own hands.

Question 3

Explain what deterrence achieves.

Answer 3

General deterrence discourages people from committing similar crimes.

Specific deterrence discourages the same offender from recommitting a similar crime.

Question 4

Explain what rehabilitation achieves.

Answer 4

Rehabilitation establishes conditions that would alter the behaviour and attitudes of the offender.

This allows them to rejoin society.

Question 5

Explain what denunciation achieves.

Answer 5

Denunciation demonstrates the courts’ condemnation of the particular offence.

This could be emphasised by particularly harsh sanctions.

Question 6

Explain what protection achieves.

Answer 6

This protects the community from the offender by removing them from society.

Custodial protection: physically prevents reoffences.

Non-custodial protection: keeps offenders busy (community service)