The aims of punishment

Question 1

What are the four theories of punishment?

Answer 1

• retribution
• deterrence
• reform
• protection

Question 2

What is retribution and what are the benefits?

Answer 2

theory that criminals should pay for their crime
- seems fair

Question 3

what is deterrence and what are the benefits?

Answer 3

the idea that the threat of a harsh punishment works to put people off committing a crime
- helps reduce crime in the first place

Question 4

what is reformation and what are the benefits?

Answer 4

criminals should be taught not to commit crime again
- reoffending rates will decrease
- more sympathetic to personal difficulties
- helps to reintegrate into society

Question 5

what is protection and what are the benefits?

Answer 5

idea that punishment should protect society from criminals through imprisonment or execution
- cannot hurt other citizens
- people will feel safe

Question 6

what theories of punishment are the hadd punishments based on?

Answer 6

retribution, deterrence and reform

Question 7

what are many Muslim countries’ attitudes towards the achievement of the aims of punishment?

Answer 7

best achieved through imprisonment- hadd punishments no longer relevant and have never been compulsory in Islam

Question 8

SofA suggesting mercy in puishments

Answer 8

Surah 4 suggests Muslims should be merciful in their punishments