The Aims of Punishment

Question 1

Outline three main aims of punishment. (3)

Answer 1

• One aim is to protect law abiding citizens from the law breakers.
• A second aim is to deter law abiding citizens from committing crimes.
• A third aim is to reform and rehabilitate criminals so they don’t repeat their crime in the future.

Question 2

Explain two reasons why retribution is an effective punishment. (4)

Answer 2

• One reason is because it actually punishes the criminal. This means that it makes a criminal suffer for what they’ve done.
• A second reason is because it makes criminals pay for their crimes in proportion to the severity of the crime they committed. This means they don’t take an eye for an eye.

Question 3

Explain two reasons why deterrence is effective. (4)

Answer 3

• One reason is because some crimes have harsh laws. This means that if they know that their hand will get cut off if they steal, they won’t steal.
• A second reason is because some crimes can be fatal. This is because if they murder someone they can be executed.

Question 4

Explain two reasons why protection is effective. (4)

Answer 4

• One reason is because capital punishment is a good punishment for murderers and rapists. This is because once they’re dead, society is protected.
• A second reason is because community service can be a good punishment for hooligans and vandals. This is because it keeps them off the streets.

Question 4

Explain two reasons why reformation is effective. (4)

Answer 4

• One reason is because they believe the only way to stop a criminal is to reform them. This means that they’ll become honest law abiding citizens who won’t commit crimes again.
• A second reason is because most criminals commit crime because of how they’ve been brought up. This is because they don’t know how to live life without crime.

Question 5

Explain two reasons why punishment is important for Jews. (5)

Answer 5

• One reason is because it protects society from the actions of the anti-social. This is important as society would likely collapse if criminals didn’t face punishment. This is supported by ‘Whoever sheds human
  blood, by humans shall their blood be shed’
• A second reason is because they see reformation as a large part of the punishment process. This is important as it is likely it will prevent crimes in the future.