Throughout history, we have come to know several different philosophies in regard to the punishment of criminals. Many have different views on how a criminal should be punished for their crimes committed. This paper will look at several schools of thought when dealing with punishment and apply these philosophies to the purpose of corrections. When society learns of a persons wrongdoings, immediately thoughts of how that person should be punished come into mind. Most do not utilize a particular school of thought or philosophy when trying to determine what punishment is just. Quite simply, they are making their determination based on what little facts they know of the case and what moral values they hold. After studying different schools
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15). According to Seiter (2014), Beccaria was known as the founder of what is called the “Classical School” of criminology (p. 15). The premise of the Classical School is its focus on prevention and deterrence (Deterrence Theory) more so than on the punishment; imprisonment should be used as the punishment (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). This thought process “suggests that individuals are basically rational actors whose choices can be altered by the principles of deterrence and punishment” (Ronel & Segev, 2015). Beccaria suggests, each person has the “Free Will” to make a choice on whether or not to commit a crime. Additionally, Beccaria examined the effects of “Hedonism,” in which a person determines their course of action to be the most pleasurable versus the most painful (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). Examining the Classical School of thought, which dominated our way of thinking, when dealing with criminals, until Cesar Lombroso created the “Positive School” in the nineteenth century. This particular thought process suggests, “People commit acts beyond their control"; it also . “linked criminality and physical traits” (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). Some believe the Positive School naturally fits within the correctional goal of rehabilitation. Lombroso, discards the “Free Will” ideal and tried to instill “criminals are born, and criminal behavior is predetermined” (Seiter, 2014, p. 16). This of course is an absurd notion; especially for those who are followers of Christ. Everyday, people make their own choices to do what is right or to disobey, not only the laws of man, but the laws of the Almighty. It is absolutely asinine to think that a child would be born into the world as a criminal. Sure we are all born into sin; however, only God knows our fate. The Positive School was largely utilized until the 1970s, when its
15). According to Seiter (2014), Beccaria was known as the founder of what is called the “Classical School” of criminology (p. 15). The premise of the Classical School is its focus on prevention and deterrence (Deterrence Theory) more so than on the punishment; imprisonment should be used as the punishment (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). This thought process “suggests that individuals are basically rational actors whose choices can be altered by the principles of deterrence and punishment” (Ronel & Segev, 2015). Beccaria suggests, each person has the “Free Will” to make a choice on whether or not to commit a crime. Additionally, Beccaria examined the effects of “Hedonism,” in which a person determines their course of action to be the most pleasurable versus the most painful (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). Examining the Classical School of thought, which dominated our way of thinking, when dealing with criminals, until Cesar Lombroso created the “Positive School” in the nineteenth century. This particular thought process suggests, “People commit acts beyond their control"; it also . “linked criminality and physical traits” (Seiter, 2014, p. 15). Some believe the Positive School naturally fits within the correctional goal of rehabilitation. Lombroso, discards the “Free Will” ideal and tried to instill “criminals are born, and criminal behavior is predetermined” (Seiter, 2014, p. 16). This of course is an absurd notion; especially for those who are followers of Christ. Everyday, people make their own choices to do what is right or to disobey, not only the laws of man, but the laws of the Almighty. It is absolutely asinine to think that a child would be born into the world as a criminal. Sure we are all born into sin; however, only God knows our fate. The Positive School was largely utilized until the 1970s, when its