THE PURPOSES OF PUNISHMENTAmerican Law and Justice

Rehabilitation

-Treat and reform the lawbreaker-The correctional system should try to turn

the wrongdoer into a productive member of society

-Prison has to provide job training psychological counseling and educational programs

Restitution

Seeks repayment The offender repays the community or

victom in money or services

Incapacitation

Seeks to isolate a criminal from society to protect ordinary citizens

Deterrence

Seeks to prevent further crimes, can happen in two ways

Specific deterrence- targets the criminal in question hoping that the memory of the harsh punishment

General deterrence- targets other potential criminals, others see the harsh punishments and become discouraged from committing the same crime

Retribution

Seeks revenge

Dates back to “eye for an eye” Impose punishment to get even with

criminals.