Explain what deterrence and retribution are. Kahan says that—in addition to deterrence and retribution—there is another purpose to punishment that theorists have ignored?
In the United States, Two important philosophies to consider for the purpose of punishment are deterrence and retribution. The theory of deterrence states “Deterrence Justifies punishment to prevent harm to others.”(Pg. 596, Kahan) Hence, individuals are discouraged to committing a crime if the punishment is swift, certain and severe. On the other hand, retribution states “retributivism confines it to those who voluntarily choose to inflict such harm.”(Pg. 596, Kahan) Therefore, the individual is properly punished for the crime committed, paying for the crime against society, also referred to as just desserts. However, the author argues there is another purpose to punishment that theorists have …show more content…
These two forms of negative sanction share some similarities to which offenders can experience and understand their crimes violated social norms. For example, it stigmatizes the wrongdoer; imprisonment labels the offender for the rest of the life and public shaming labels the individual which is still a part of the community. “The public realization that not all offenders view such punishments as disgraceful, however, does not diminish the resonance of their shaming penalties or imprisonment as symbols of the community’s moral disapproval.” (Pg.636 Kahan) Another result of these negative sanctions is that offenders may experience some financial hardship such as employment. Imprisonment and shaming somewhat deters others from committing immoral acts against societal norms. Also, they both have an effect on families as a result. Families may fall apart while an offender is in prison and shaming can have the same effect, for instance a john having his picture a billboard for solicitation, while being
In the United States, Two important philosophies to consider for the purpose of punishment are deterrence and retribution. The theory of deterrence states “Deterrence Justifies punishment to prevent harm to others.”(Pg. 596, Kahan) Hence, individuals are discouraged to committing a crime if the punishment is swift, certain and severe. On the other hand, retribution states “retributivism confines it to those who voluntarily choose to inflict such harm.”(Pg. 596, Kahan) Therefore, the individual is properly punished for the crime committed, paying for the crime against society, also referred to as just desserts. However, the author argues there is another purpose to punishment that theorists have …show more content…
These two forms of negative sanction share some similarities to which offenders can experience and understand their crimes violated social norms. For example, it stigmatizes the wrongdoer; imprisonment labels the offender for the rest of the life and public shaming labels the individual which is still a part of the community. “The public realization that not all offenders view such punishments as disgraceful, however, does not diminish the resonance of their shaming penalties or imprisonment as symbols of the community’s moral disapproval.” (Pg.636 Kahan) Another result of these negative sanctions is that offenders may experience some financial hardship such as employment. Imprisonment and shaming somewhat deters others from committing immoral acts against societal norms. Also, they both have an effect on families as a result. Families may fall apart while an offender is in prison and shaming can have the same effect, for instance a john having his picture a billboard for solicitation, while being