Aims of Punishment

Question 1

What are the aims of punishment?

Answer 1

1. To protect law-abiding citizens
2. Deterrence
3. Reform and rehabilitation
4. Make criminals pay for their actions

Question 2

What are the benefits of retribution?

Answer 2

1. Makes criminals pay for what they did in proportion to the severity of their crimes
2. Victims suffer, so criminals should suffer

Question 3

What are the benefits of deterrence as a punishment?

Answer 3

1. If someone knows they will have their hand cut off for stealing, they will not steal
2. If someone knows they will be executed if they are found guilty, they will not murder.

Question 4

What are the benefits of reformation as a punishment?

Answer 4

1. The only way to reform the criminals so that they become honest law abiding criminals
2. Most people commit crimes because they do not know how to live without crime
3. Gives them education and qualifications to get a job. Do not have to resort to crime

Question 5

What are the benefits of having protection as a punishment?

Answer 5

1. If murderers are dead, they cannot harm anyone
2. Long prison services, keep threats away from society
3. Community service is a good punishment for hooligans, keeps them off the streets

Question 6

What are Jewish attitudes to the aims of punishment?

Answer 6

1. Torah says that criminals should be punished
2. Torah gives deterrence, protection and retribution as reasons
3. Society would collapse if society did not have punishment

Question 7

SOWAAs:

Answer 7

“Whoever sheds human blood,..shall their blood be shed.”