AC 2.2 Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the aim of retribution?
-punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a criminal act
-a display of public revulsion
-punishment is proportionate and fair in line with sentencing council guidelines “just desserts”
-“an eye for an eye”
-backward looking theory as it does not seek to alter future behaviour
-justice for the defendant
What type of punishment links to retribution?
-custodial sentences (whole life order - “an eye for an eye”/“a life for a life”) harsh but proportionate
-eg Lucy Letby and Wayne Couzens
-death penalty
Which theories link to the aim retribution?
Right realism - harsh punishment, revenge and justice for society, prevention of reoffending, punish rather than rehabilitate, victim focused.
What is the aim of public protection?
-referred as incapacitation where the offender is prevented from exercising their freedom
-useful purpose for society as a whole by protecting us from dangerous criminals
-prevents means and opportunities to commit crime
What type of punishment links to public protection?
-long prison (custodial) sentences like life or whole life as it limits movements
-long community sentence with curfew and electronic tagging
Which theory links to public protection?
Right realism - harsh punishments to protect the public
What is the aim of deterrence?
-discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences
-individual deterrence is aimed at the person being punished and aims to teach him not to repeat the behaviour (eg term of imprisonment will only activate if further offending occurs but if there is no reoffending then the offender will not go to prison)
-general deterrence is the effect of legal punishment on the general public (eg potential offenders).
-impact of general deterrence is weakened by the fact it is someone else being punished and might only be effective in preventing potential offenders if the severity level is high enough to attract media attention
What type of punishment links to deterrence?
Custodial sentence (suspended) - impact of losing your liberty will prevent future offending (individual)
Whole life orders/life sentence (general)
Which theory links to deterrence?
Individual - SLT (observe others being punished harshly and deter). Labelling theory (individual has already been labelled as criminal so they are likely to reoffend)
General - (functional - society isolate offenders)
What is the aim of rehabilitation?
-aim to reform and rehabilitate offender back into society
-forward looking aim with hope offenders behaviour will be altered and not reoffend unlike retribution
-encourage pro social behaviour
-criminal behaviour is a result of free will and rational choice
What type of punishment links to rehabilitation?
-community sentence (drug and alcohol programmes/unpaid work/education rehab programmes)
Which theory links to rehabilitation?
SLT- offenders can observe and imitate pro social behaviours when placed in a positive environment (eg drug and alcohol rehabilitation)
Eg Thompson and Venables
What is the aim of reparation?
-involves compensating the victims of the crime
-reparation to society = unpaid work
-brings offenders and victims together to make direct reparation
What type of punishment links to reparation?
-restorative justice (writing a letter of apology or repairing any damage caused)
-community sentence like unpaid work
-fines (compensation to the victim)
Which theory links to reparation?
Left realism - long term practical support for victim and offender. Long term change to a more equal and caring society.
