Theories of Punishment

Notes

‘an eye for an eye’
inflicting penal sentence over perpetrator.
good in cases where there is serious crime, helps in moral justice for victim
emphasis is on punishment rather than on the rehabilitation or transformation of the offender.
can be misused in some cases, destructive tendencies could be a potential result.

aim of punishment is to transform the culprit
‘an eye for an eye blinds the whole world’.
Reformative theory is the only one which is essential and indispensable for human progress.
Reformative theory focuses on the rehabilitation and reform of the offender to prevent future crimes.

abstain from any wrongful act.
prevent criminals from attempting any criminal acts in future.
deterrent theory proposes that punishment can deter both potential offenders in society and specific individuals who have already committed crimes.
role of fear and negative consequences important in discouraging criminal behaviour.