Lesson 4: Aims of punishment

Question 1

What is retribution?

EXPLANAITION

Answer 1

• Society, on behalf of victim, is getting “its own back” on the criminal.
• Criminals should suffer in proportion to how serious their crime was. Ie. someone murdered, they deserve the death penalty.

Question 2

What are the 3 MAIN aims of punishment?

Answer 2

1.) Retribution
2.) Deterrance
3.) Reformation

Question 3

What are Christian views on retribution?

Answer 3

• “Do not repay evil for evil.”
• Many Christians focus on aims of punishment that are less harmful and more positive.
• Some Christians support death penalty: “a life for a life.”
• Most think this means murderers should be punished severly, not killed though.

Question 4

What is deterrance?

EXPLANAITION

Answer 4

• Use punishment as a warning to others.
• If punishment is harsh, will deter offender from comitting same crime/ will deter others from copying the crime.
• Some countries, punishments are carried out in public to deter people.

Question 5

What are Christian views on deterrance?

Answer 5

• Most Christians have no problem with the idea, but do not support punishments that are excessively harsh.
• Oppose carrying out punishments in public because these could humiliate the offender rather than treating them with respect.

Question 6

What is reformation?

Answer 6

• Use punishment that helps offenders give up their crime and realise their behaviour was harmful.
• Hopefully, offenders will change attitude and become law- abiding.

Question 7

Give 3 examples of punishment that would lead to reformation.

Answer 7

• Therapy
• Community service
• Meeting with the victims

Question 8

What are Christian views on reformation?

Answer 8

• Best aim of punishment
• It is positive rather than negative, helps to improve individual’s life chances.
• It shouldn’t be a replacement for punishment - should happen along side punishment.