Objectives of Punishment

CJS 230

Many people have the different ideas of the objective of punishment in the criminal justice system. Some say that punishment is circumstantial. Different forms of punishment are effective for various forms of crime. There are cases in which retribution, prevention/deterrence, and rehabilitation are all suitable. A legal system is necessary in our society and the maintenance of this system requires punishment. However, the main focus of all punishment should be to improve society as a whole.

As citizens of a community we abide by an implied social contract theory. This theory is simply that society makes rules, so that we can be civilized and that as citizens we should follow these rules. This social contact theory supports the idea that law...