Question

The goals and philosophy of punishment have evolved over time; why has this been necessary, and how has society adapted to the changes? Consider the first three steps of the Criminal Justice Decision Making Model:

1. Define the problem (and the questions that need to be answered).

2, Gather evidence (law, policy, procedure, data) and evaluate for relevancy.

3. Weigh moral considerations and direct/indirect consequences.

Following Steps 4 and 5 of the Decision-Making Model, write an essay comparing and contrasting the main goals of punishment: deterrence, incapacitation, restoration, rehabilitation, and retribution. Which of these goals seems to be most effective, and why? In your 1-2 page essay, you will provide research to support your choice and cite your sources in proper APA format. The essay must also be free of run-on sentences and sentences with comma splices; the essay should include at least three sentences that use semicolons properly. Write your position paper, argument, and proposal utilizing the above material. Balance your position by addressing alternatives and potential pitfalls.

Answer 1

The goals and philosophies of punishment have evolved over the time and this is infact true. Punishment has been there since AD and it's not just that came to existence after the modern law was drafted and executed. In fact, the crucifying Christ can be cited as the classic example of how punishment was given in the era of Christ. Fast forward to the French Revolution, it went in to the history with all the facts as to how the British executed whom they considered were threat to the State and as to how they were executed in full public view. This was followed even in the United States of America during the slavery wherein blacks were ill-treated and they were made to work without breaks and without any food, to punish whoever raised voices against the white then. Then the world witnessed many revolutionists whose arms were also cut and displayed at museums.

So, there's no first ever criminal punishment as such to quote. However the society has always wanted the punishment to be in more passive manner and not to be given in full public view so that it would not be disturbing to several people especially the children. According to the several reports, the countries that had death penalty as the highest reward of punishment often witnessed more crime rates.

Also, earlier death penalty was in the form of shooting in the head and it was later changed to hang till death, and now the United States uses lethal injections to execute the capital punishment in a peaceful and painless manner.

The United Nations banned the death penalty although the award was not binding on all the countries. Several countries continue to implement death penalty. Expressing his anguish over the same, the then UN president Mr. Ban ki Moon said that we were in 21st century and that death penalty is not the way out; also expressed concerned that at least 14 countries even have provision to execute capital punishment to minors.

By going through all these developments, one can easily say that the way punishments are executed have changed over the years. As scholars often say, the focus should be on avoiding the crime and not on the degree of punishments. The onus in on the law enforcement authorities to educate the people youth about the significance of the quality living; set up classes and counseling sessions where people should be encouraged to take part so that they can understand and also get motivation. These corrective measures will surely have a great impact on the a large number of people who either didn't get any such exposure about moral and ethics or have had no proper parental care.