Question

Since the mid-1980s, the two rationales that have dominated penal policy are: a) Rehabilitation and restitution b) Deterrence and retribution c) Restitution and retribution d) Rehabilitation and deterrence

Answer 1

The two main rationales of penal policy since the mid-1980s are deterrence, which aims to prevent crime by fear of punishment, and retribution, which focuses on just punishment corresponding to the crime committed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the mid-1980s, the two rationales that have dominated penal policy are deterrence and retribution. Deterrence is used within the criminal justice system as a means to discourage individuals from committing crimes by creating a fear of punishment. The concept is that if potential criminals are aware of the likely punishment, they will be less likely to engage in illegal activities. On the other hand, retribution is a theory of justice that considers punishment, if proportionate, to be the best response to crime. The retributive approach to crime is based on the idea of just desserts, where the punishment serves as a morally appropriate response to the offender's misdeeds.

Answer 2

The two rationales that have primarily dominated penal policy since the mid-1980s are: b) Deterrence and retribution.

Since the mid-1980s, penal policy has predominantly centered around deterrence and retribution. Deterrence aims to prevent future crimes through fear of punishment, emphasizing the consequences as a deterrent.

Retribution focuses on punishing offenders as deserved recompense for their actions, seeking a form of justice or moral balance. This shift reflects a move away from rehabilitative approaches toward emphasizing punishment's severity as a means to dissuade criminal behavior and satisfy societal demands for justice.

These rationales underscore a punitive stance within penal systems, prioritizing punishment and deterrence over rehabilitation and reparation for offenses committed.