Notes
This preview shows page 1 - 3 out of 5 pages.
Running head: PUNISHMENT RESEARCH PAPER1Assignment: Punishment Research PaperStephanie CockleSOC 120July 4, 2010Melanie G. Graf
PUNISHMENT RESEARCH PAPER2Assignment: Punishment Research PaperDoes punishment deter crime? An argument that faces society as much today as it has formany years. Many people believe it does prevent many crimes and many people also believe itdoes not. If someone wants to commit a crime they are going to do it no matter what theconsequences might be. : A fundamental reason we have so much crime is that potentialcriminals decide the expected benefits of committing crimes outweigh the expected costs.Criminal say the costs can be measured by the expected punishment. Expected punishment is notthe length of time actually spent in prison. Criminal base it on the probabilities of being arrested,convicted, prosecuted and going to prison, and on the average time prisoners spend in prison[Cordell, D., 1994]. Controlling crime is one of the longest standing issues in society, the fear ofcommitting a crime and having to face imprisonment is suppose to deter most criminals andthough it may work for some, the game for others and getting away with it, is what keepscriminals at work [Economist's View, 2007]. So, how or what can be done to make punishmentmore effective?There are four basic types of punishment that will be reviewed, what the affects of eachone are and how they relate to today’s American society.Retribution is a punishment that is appropriate for a crime. An eye for an eye, it is one ofthe oldest justifications for punishment. At its simplest, retribution is a penalty imposed for a
Upload your study docs or become a
Course Hero member to access this document
Upload your study docs or become a
Course Hero member to access this document
End of preview. Want to read all 5 pages?
Upload your study docs or become a
Course Hero member to access this document
Tags
criminal law, Cordell, Punishment Research Paper
Learn about this topic in these articles:
theories of punishment
- In punishment: Incapacitation
Incapacitation refers to the act of making an individual “incapable” of committing a crime—historically by execution or banishment, and in more modern times by execution or lengthy periods of incarceration. Most instances of incapacitation involve offenders who have committed repeated crimes [multiple recidivists] under…
Throughout history, society has developed different ways to simultaneously punish criminal offenders while also ensuring the safety of the public. Those who study types of crimes
and their punishments learn that five major types of criminal punishment have emerged: incapacitation, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation and restoration. Students in an online
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice learn these types of criminal punishment as part of a curriculum that prepares them for success working in the criminal justice field. The types of punishment
listed by the University of Oxford handbook include the first four of the following. The idea of restorative justice is newer.
Today’s experts in criminology see it as a valid criminal punishment option. Those who judge the types of crimes and their punishments typically use one of the following approaches to guide
them. This is one of the first forms of punishment –
essentially the idea of “an eye for an eye.” Those who favor retribution believe it gives the victims of crime, or society as a whole, a sense of satisfaction
knowing a criminal received the appropriate level of punishment for the crime committed. Lawmakers face the task of determining these appropriate levels of punishment, which can range from speeding ticket fine amounts to mandatory sentences for certain
crimes. Deterrence aims to prevent future crime and can focus on specific and general
deterrence. Specific deterrence deals with making an individual less likely to commit a future crime because of fear of getting a similar or worse punishment. General deterrence refers to the impact on members of the public who become less likely to commit a crime after learning of the punishment another person
experienced. Rehabilitation seeks to prevent
future crime by altering a criminal’s behavior. This typically includes offering a host of programs while in prison, including educational and vocational programs, treatment center placement, and mental health counseling. This approach also typically gives judges the flexibility to mix in rehabilitation programs as part of a criminal’s sentencing. The goal is to lower the rate of recidivism, or
people committing another crime after getting released from prison. This is another ancient
approach that remains popular. Incapacitation simply means removing a person from society. This includes incarceration in prison, house arrest and, in its more dire form, execution. Many feel the flaw in this approach is that it doesn’t address rehabilitation or recidivism, the latter of which tends to remain high in societies that practice
incapacitation. This new approach to criminal justice calls for the offender to make direct amends to the victim of their crime, as well as the community
where the crime occurred. Judges use this approach mostly with juvenile offenders. In this approach, the criminal and the victim meet so that the offender can hear what the victim
says about their experience with the crime committed. The offender then strives to make amends and seek forgiveness. These theories are intricately involved in studies on the types of crimes and their
punishments. Society developed each of them with the idea of ensuring appropriate punishment for criminals and safety for society. What Are The Five Major Types of Criminal Punishment?
The Types of Criminal Punishment
Retribution
Deterrence
Rehabilitation
Incapacitation
Restoration
Share This Story