Since crime has been on the rise, criminologists try to give an explanation of how crime can possibly be deterred through certain tactics. Criminologists developed the theory of deterrence in order to provide an explanation on how an individual can be steered away from crime. Deterrence can be explained as a form of prevention and a precautionary measure seeking to discourage individuals from crime through igniting fear and/or danger in an individual through incarceration or punishment (Reid, p. 605). The underlying assumption behind deterrence is that punishment will serve as a way of preventing offenders from committing further criminal acts. What matters then is if these theories serve to curtail and reduce crime. This paper explores assumptions
