Essay - Criminal Corrections Retribution, Deterrence, Incapacitation & Rehabilitation Since the Beginning...

Criminal corrections

RETRIBUTION, DETERRENCE, INCAPACITATION & REHABILITATION

***** the beginning of recorded history, civilized society has attempted to design and create various methods aimed at decreasing the amount of criminal activity. So far, a number of these methods h*****ve proven ***** be effective under certain circumstances, yet they have also *****en shown to be ineffective, some more than others. In modern times, society's response to criminal *****havior has included many specialized ***** developed by criminologists, psychologists, law and legal officials and by those involved in penal *****.

***** paper will examine four of the most common methods used today for criminal corrections, ***** known as the goals of criminal law—retribution, deterrence, incapacitation and rehabilitation. At the conclusion, one ***** these methods ***** be chosen as a represent*****tive of the best way to fight criminal behavior, ***** that will yield the highest benefits for society as a whole.

***** of all, retribution, also ***** as ***** theory of retributive justice, "assumes that ********** deserve to be punished, mostly by long prison terms, as legal revenge for their harm ***** *****." The modern approach to this type of punishment "considers it proper to punish because (criminals) deserve it and the state h***** gone to ***** trouble ***** prescribing a *****ment for them" ("Fundamentals of Criminal Law," *****ternet).

***** is undoubtedly one of the oldest forms of criminal punishment, for ***** often entails long prison sentences based on the severity of ***** crime committed by the individual. In Western society, revenge against criminals has long been a custom, especi*****y in rel*****tion to crimes like first-degree murder, kidnapping, rape or felonious assault. Also, retribution guarantees that the criminal will be kept off the streets f***** a prolonged period of time and that his/her punishment is in l*****e with the will of society as far as ***** is concerned.

Second, deterrence "***** ***** fearful penalties, mostly involving swift restraint, harsh conditions and certain guilt, ***** prevent people from choosing to engage in crime. Specific ***** focuses on individual *****, (while) general deterrence focuses ***** potential criminals" ("Fundamentals of Criminal Law," Internet). It has long ********** argued whether or not such a thing *****s deterrence truly exists and ***** such actions actually deter crime. Logically, if a person decides to commit murder in a state that has the death penalty, he/she may think twice about committing the crime, unless it happens ***** be a "spur of the moment" event or due to "the passion ***** the *****" (Clear, 126).

Many criminologists agree ***** the assessment ***** deterrence does not exist, f***** *****y declare that "criminals... do not calculate the risk of being caught ***** punished. ********** are impulsive or opportunists or driven to ***** ***** circumstances" ("Incapacitation and Deterrence," *****). Certainly, as compared to *****, deterrence is a very slippery beast, for it has not been adequately ***** by any state or federal agency that ***** actually works unless, of course, the death ***** is carried out, ***** the ultimate deterrent.

Third, ***** is the legal