Does Punishment Deter Crime - 1773 Words

Running Head: DOES PUNISHMENT Does Punishment Deter Crime? Kylon D. Shipp SOC 120 Week 6 Checkpoint University of Phoenix A question that all criminal justice professionals ask themselves is whether or not our justice system is up to the challenge of doing what it originally set out to do: â€Å"protect society from criminals, to punish those who commit crimes, and to make criminals better able to return to society once they have finished their sentences† (Topsfield Foundation, 1996). Although the American system of justice has made great advancements in meeting these goals, one fact that exists is that placing criminals in prison does not benefit everyone. There are five goals of contemporary sentencing, and before we can discuss†¦show more content†¦If these convicted criminals are getting out of prison and engaging in more serious criminal offenses, then how is this beneficial to society or the criminal? The fact of the matter is that it’s not. However, I do believe that placing criminals in prison can prove to be more beneficial if some programs that promote healthy lifestyle s are implemented in all prisons. One problem that leads to criminal behavior is substance abuse. If we can cut back on the amount of teens using drugs and alcohol, then we will greatly impact juvenile delinquency rates, which would in turn impact the number of delinquents who go on to lead lives of crime in adulthood. We must push towards the establishment of drug treatment programs and community based educational programs instead of financing the construction of more jails and prisons. â€Å"In fact, research in a number of disciplines demonstrates that social investments can produce more significant reduction in crime than expanded prison construction† and â€Å"that spending on drug treatment would reduce serious crimes fifteen times more effectively than incapacitating offenders through mandatory prison terms† (Mauer, 2002). Another scholar states that â€Å"†¦since the 1970s, the number of prisons and incarcerated human beings [has] doubled while social ser vices, jobs, and housing disappear. The government s response to problems is to lock people away while eliminating the means forShow MoreRelatedDoes Punishment Deter Crime?1325 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: EFFECTS OF PUNISHMENT Does Punishment Deter Crime? Does Punishment Deter Crime? During biblical times crime not only affected society, but it was believed to have also been directed towards God himself. The Bible is the oldest book to reference with many directives to living life peacefully and without revenge. As retribution is considered a form of punishment, if not the first, the Bible itself explains that the punishment should not exceed the crime. Matthew 5:38 statesRead MoreDoes Capital Punishment Deter Crime? Essay939 Words   |  4 PagesDoes Capital Punishment Deter Crime? Ahmed Salman Argosy University July, 10, 2015 Introduction Capital punishment or death penalty is punishing by death. Crimes that can attract capital punishment are called capital crimes or offenses. In most countries, capital crimes include murder, robbery with violence, and treason (Doyle 2007). At the moment, there are thirty six countries in the world that practice the death penalty. More than 100 countries have abolished the dead penaltyRead MoreDeterrence And Rational Choice Theory777 Words   |  4 Pages Throughout the world crime is happening every single day. Yes, some people may feel as if the deterrence theory does not work. Due to the fact that crime still happens in the world. This essay will look at the support for the theory. As well as the key problems for the theory. Next, it will explain some of the newest directions in deterrence/rational choice theory. Finally, it will either agree/disagree with someone’s thought on deterrence and how it does not work and is a waste of time to studyRead MorePunishing Cr iminals by Death Will Deter Future Crimes...or Not?1216 Words   |  5 Pagespunishing criminals by death will deter future crimes. The paragraph further explains how human behavior is related to acts of crime. The essay gives an example of Canada. How crime was not deterred by the imposition of death penalty as a tool used by the system of justice. The essay states some of the research that has been conducted with the intention of proving that capital punishment can deter crimes. This paper points out the effects and imposition of capital punishments on criminal activities. TheRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of The Death Penalty1135 Words   |  5 Pagesprevent crime( the victorian underworld). in Victorian times, the death penalty was used as a means of controlling. There should be abolishment of this because of the countless innocent men and women being put to death for the stated purpose of preventing crime out of fear. So There should not be a death penalty because it violates human rights, it does not deter crime, and is a cruel and unusual punishment. To begin with the death penalty is a violation of human rights. The form of punishment violatesRead More The Death Penalty is a Necessary Deterrent to Crime Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesThe Death Penalty is a Necessary Deterrent to Crime    Murder and rape are serious crimes, although they arent the only crimes that could be considered serious. Others that might be considered are stealing, which has numerous categories under it such as grand theft auto, etc†¦ The following story is the true account of a young female named Donna. This story tells of Donnas rape and then her murder by a man named McCorquodale and his friend Leroy. The author is telling this story in order to createRead MoreEssay about The Debate Over Capital Punishment1141 Words   |  5 Pagesover capital punishment has been raging on for countless number of years. Capital punishment has been used for thousands of years due to the physiological fear it inflicts on the people who witness and learn about the death penalty. The use of this punishment has helped to reduce crime and alter the minds of future criminals to deter them against committing heinous crimes such as murder, treason, espionage, terrorism and in some cases aggravated kidnapping. Ad vocates say it deters crime while abolitionistsRead MoreThe Death Penalty Should Be Legalized1229 Words   |  5 Pagesdeath penalty needs to be completely abolished. Their view is that is is inhumane and constitutionally unjustified. On the other hand many believe it is a source of deterrence and is the only just punishment for some crimes. When it comes down to it, the death penalty deters crime, is a fair and just punishment, and restores justice. I believe the death penalty should be legalized throughout the entire country. The death penalty has been around for a long time. It has been recorded as being around asRead MoreCapital Punishment Debate Essay756 Words   |  4 PagesCapital Punishment Debate The death penalty is a tough debate and an overwhelming argument in this country. We as Americans put Timothy McVeigh to death by lethal injection just three months ago. Arguments can be made for and against the death penalty, but this is not the problem. Capital Punishment is supposed to be a deterrent to crime, but is the death penalty really a deterrent? Capital Punishment is not a deterrent for crime, and the effects ofRead MoreEssay on Capital Punishment Should Be Abolished1108 Words   |  5 PagesCapital Punishment Should be Abolished Evidence suggests that the death penalty does not deter people from committing crimes. It is a cruel and cold blooded form of punishment and there have been instances where innocent people were sentenced to death and later found to be innocent. The most common methods of execution are hanging and shooting. Countries like the U.S. use electrocution, gas chambers and lethal injections to dispose of the convicted. Some countries, like the U.S., have tried