The Four Theories of Punishment Flashcards
What are four theories of punishment?
Retribution
Deterrence
Reform
Protection
What is the Retribution theory?
Punishing a person in order to make them pay for what they have done (like ‘an eye for an eye’)
What are three examples of Retribution?
Community service for stealing from Tesco
A prison sentence that is reflective of the crime
Capital punishment for mass murder
What is good about the theory of Retribution?
It makes criminals pay for their crime in proportion to the severity of the crime they have committed
It makes criminals suffer for what they have done wrong. Criminals make their victims suffer, so the criminals should also suffer
Victims feel that revenge has been enacted
What is bad about the theory of Retribution?
It could not be reflective of the crime
In cases of murder, some would argue that
retribution can never be achieved
What is the Deterrence theory?
The idea that punishments should be of such a nature that they will put people off (deter) committing crimes
i.e. the crime is so strict that it deters you from doing it
What are two examples of Deterrence?
In Saudi Arabia, they cut off a man’s head for stealing
Capital punishment
What is good about the theory of Deterrence?
It prevents crime as people are scared of the severe punishments of others
What is bad about the theory of Deterrence?
It is very severe
By putting people in prison for petty crimes, like as used in the war on drugs, prison’s are getting full
Different people are deterred by different things
What is the Reform theory?
The idea that punishments should try to change criminals so that they will not commit crimes again
What are two examples of Reform?
Rehabilitation - helping addicts
Teaching people skills - education (GCSEs, A- Levels), giving them a trade such as how to be a mechanic
What is good about the theory of Reform?
When you get out of prison you can earn money legitimately because you have learned skills and an education
You are less likely to re-offend
What is bad about the theory of Reform?
It is costs tax payers a lot of money
It is difficult to get a job with a criminal offence anyway
What is the Protection theory?
Punishing a wrongdoer by locking them in prison, or taking their life, in order to protect society from the criminal
What is an example the Protection theory?
Removing paedophiles and serial killers from society
