AC2.2- deterrence

Question 1

explain deterrence

Answer 1

argued that if sentences are tough enough, then people will stop committing crimes- so used punishment to deter people from reoffending, eg public execution

• short sharp shock (aimed at teenage boys with boot camp military style)
• some argue that certainty of punishment is more important than severity

Question 2

what theories does it link to

Answer 2

right realism (rational choice theory as they still choose to do it, so deterrence should work bc they weigh up the cost of committing the crime)

SLT (if you see a role model being punished you will be less likely to imitate)

Question 3

criticisms

Answer 3

• 50% of prisoners reoffend, punishment not of a deterrent
• for those who commit crimes of passion or crimes driven by emotion, prison wouldn’t be a deterrent as they would still have this emotion eg domestic abuse
• for some crimes, other things are a bigger deterrent
• little evidence that short sharp shock works, many suffered trauma, some committed suicide, labelled as scum