NCJ Number
29580
Date Published
1975
Length
295 pages
Annotation
THE PUNISHMENT OF CRIME, HE ARGUES, MUST NOT BE DISMISSED MERELY AS SOCIETY'S WISH FOR REVENGE, BUT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD AND UPHELD AS ONE OF SOCIETY'S BASIC OBLIGATIONS.
Abstract
A SOCIETY EXISTS ON THE BASIS OF A SACRED PROMISE TO ITS MEMBERS THAT THEY MAY GO ABOUT THEIR LIVES PROTECTED FROM THE MENACE OF OTHERS; CENTRAL TO THAT PROMISE IS THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WRONGDOER. PUNISHMENT, THEN, IS AN OBLIGATION OF SOCIETY NOT SO MUCH FOR ITS EFFECT UPON THE CRIMINAL AS FOR ITS MESSAGE OF SUPPORT AND CONFIRMATION TO THE LAW-ABIDING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)