Four perspectives regarding the purpose of the criminal justice system are retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Describe each of these perspectives. Include a discussion regarding what types of policies would be used to implement each of these perspectives. Discuss which perspective(s) you support, and why.
The four perspectives regarding the purpose of the criminal justice system are retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Each of these perspectives has a different goal and corresponding policies for achieving that goal.
Retribution: This perspective believes that punishment should be proportionate to the crime committed, and that the offender should "pay" for their actions. Retribution seeks to restore the moral balance that has been disrupted by the offender's actions. Policies that reflect this perspective might include mandatory minimum sentences, the death penalty, or "three strikes" laws.
Incapacitation: This perspective seeks to protect society from dangerous offenders by removing them from society. The goal is to prevent offenders from committing further crimes while they are incarcerated. Policies that reflect this perspective might include long prison sentences, life without parole, or electronic monitoring.
Deterrence: This perspective believes that punishment should deter individuals from committing crimes in the future. This can be achieved through either specific deterrence (deterrence of the individual offender) or general deterrence (deterrence of others who might consider committing similar crimes). Policies that reflect this perspective might include mandatory drug testing for probationers, public shaming, or community service.
Rehabilitation: This perspective believes that punishment should be used as an opportunity to reform offenders and help them become productive members of society. The goal is to reduce recidivism and prevent future crime. Policies that reflect this perspective might include vocational training, drug treatment programs, or counseling.
Personally, I support the rehabilitation perspective. While punishment is necessary in cases of serious crime, I believe that our justice system should focus on rehabilitating offenders rather than simply punishing them. Research has shown that programs that address the root causes of crime, such as drug addiction or mental illness, are much more effective in reducing recidivism than punitive measures. In addition, rehabilitation programs can help individuals become productive members of society and avoid future criminal behavior.
Overall, each of these perspectives has its own strengths and weaknesses, and different policies may be appropriate depending on the individual circumstances. However, I believe that the rehabilitation perspective offers the most promising approach to reducing crime and creating a safer and more just society.