Crime and Punishment: Key Words Flashcards
crime
an offence which is punishable by law, for example stealing or murder
punishment
something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty of breaking the law
evil
the opposite of good; a force or the personification of a negative power that is seen in many traditions as destructive and against God
poverty
being without money, food or other basic need of life
mental illness
· a medical condition that affects a person’s feelings, emotions or moods, and perhaps their ability to relate to others
addiction
physical or mental dependency on a substance or activity which is very difficult to overcome
greed
wanting to posses wealth, goods or items of value which are not needed
hate crime
crime, often including violence, that are usually targeted at a person because of their race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender
retribution
to get your own back ‘an eye for an eye’
deterrence
to put people off committing crimes
reformation
to change someone’s behaviour for the better
free will
the ability of people to make decisions for themselves without constraint
prison
a secure building where offenders are kept for a period of time set by a judge
corporal punishment
punishment of an offender by causing them physical pain - now illegal in the UK
community service
a way of punishing offenders by making them do unpaid work in the community
principle of utility
philosophical idea that an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness for the maximum number of people affected by it
forgiveness
showing mercy, and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong
death penalty
capital punishment; a form of punishment in which a prison is put to death for crimes committed
sanctity of life
all life is holy as it is created and loved by God; Christians believe human life should not be misused or abused as only God can take it (used to oppose death penalty)
