AC2.2 Aims of Punishment

Question 1

Retribution

Answer 1

• Offender deserves punishment for crime committed, moral vengeance where punishment is proportionate to offence.
• Focuses on justice and wrongdoers should ‘pay’ for their crime, “eye for an eye”.
• Links to idea of ‘just deserts’, punishment should fit crime.
  -Links to Right Realism.

Question 2

Strengths of retribution

Answer 2

• Satisfies public demand for justice as offenders ‘pay’ for their crimes satisfying public and victim.
• Reinforces societal norms as reinforces idea that certain behaviours are wrongs justice will be served when committed.

Question 3

Weaknesses of retribution

Answer 3

-Moral ambiguity: focuses on giving offenders what they deserve, morally questionable, promotes revenge over justice.
-No reduction in crime
-Subjective: deciding what punishment to give can be subjective, inconsistent sentencing.

Question 4

Rehabilitation

Answer 4

• Aims to reform and reintegrate offender into society, focus on changing behaviour.
• Encourages offenders to address root causes of behaviour (drug addiction, anger issues)
• Involves treatment programmes
• Aimed at reducing recidivism (reoffending) by equipping offenders to live productive
• Links to Eysenck’s personality theory

Question 5

Strengths of rehabilitation

Answer 5

-Reduces recidivism: addresses underlying cause of criminality, programmes help offenders reintegrate into society
-Promotes long term change: provides offenders with skills, education and therapy for positive changes.

Question 6

Weaknesses of rehabilitation

Answer 6

-High costs: effective programmes such as education or therapy require substantial resources.
-Unreliable outcomes: no guarantee it will prevent reoffending
-Public perception: public see as too lenient especially for serious crimes, undermine publics confidence in the CJS.