NCJ Number
15518
Date Published
1974
Length
195 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE VARIABLES OF CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT, QUICKNESS OF PUNISHMENT, AND SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT AS THEY INFLUENCE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF CRIMES, CRIMINALS, AND PUNISHMENTS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT WHILE DEMANDS FOR STRICT PUNISHMENT MAY BE USED TO MASK A RETRIBUTIVE RATHER THAN PREVENTATIVE ATTITUDE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DETERRENT EFFECTS OF PUNISHMENT MAY BE SERIOUSLY NEGLECTED BY THOSE WHOSE MAIN INTEREST IS THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS. A CLEAR DISTINCTION IS MADE BETWEEN SPECIAL DETERRENCE, OR THE EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT ON THE PERSON PUNISHED, AND GENERAL DETERRENCE, OR THE EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT ON SOCIETY IN GENERAL. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE GENERAL DISUASIVE EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT AND ITS CAPACITY TO DETER INDIVIDUALS FROM COMMITTING SPECIFIC ACTS, SUCH AS THEFT, MORAL OFFENSES, MURDER, AND POLITICAL CRIMES. THE MORAL AND EDUCATIVE INFLUENCE OF LAW AND THE MORALITY OF SANCTIONS ARE EXPLORED AS WELL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)