Should the MAIN purpose (please don't answer 'both') of encarceration or state sanctioned execution of a criminal be (1) retribution or (2) the protection of the decent members of society ? Let's have a calm, dispassionate, objective discussion, please.
2006-06-16 11:20:54 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Boy do I come up with great questions ! The problem is that sometimes I just don't know how to pick the best answer... when they are all brilliant. I pass the buck to the world. You shall vote and choose.
2006-06-17 11:02:29 · update #1
Sorry, guys, I may select the best one myself after all.
2006-06-17 11:04:22 · update #2
It would depend what state to which you are referring. If a state consistently has very high or the highest incarceration rates per capita, then they are obviously missing rehab. If the state also has a high recidivism (repeat offenders) rate, then the whole retribution idea is also failing, because it is not deterring the criminals either. The job is to protect society from them. If they are failing A and B, then it must be C. The answer, to which you specified you did not want, is incarceration is to protect the community, make the offender pay retribution for his/her debt to society and attempt to rehabilitate the offender from committing any crimes upon release, if release if an option.
Which brings me to a second point that you make: How do you know who the decent members of society are? When you enter a prison for the first time, the offenders all seem so normal, just like people you meet everyday on the street. It makes you look at everyone and wonder what they have gotten away with? Who have they killed or maimed and never been caught? A criminal does not wear a label until they've been caught.
2006-06-16 13:08:59 · answer #1 · answered by wagamanda 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Neither... it is to attempt to eliminate the problem. Doesn't really work because we don't rehabilitate very well in a correctional environment and most only learn to become better at their craft there... except of course execution, which solves the problem marvelously, the dead certainly don't ever kill again.
I suppose in a way it is answering "protecting" but I would NEVER call members of society decent. Especially not us *lol* in this society we are not legally allowed to protect or deal out retribution... how awful it is to not be allowed to be a man.
2006-06-16 11:27:48 · answer #2 · answered by Big C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If those are the 2 choices the 2) the protection of society.
I submit you should have 3 and include rehabilitation
2006-06-16 11:23:25 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To serve and protect society.
2006-06-16 11:23:43 · answer #4 · answered by poisonivy4913 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think retribution. We should all take responsibility for our actions whether we want to or not. I also think people in prison shouldn't be coddled. They are there to be punished.
2006-06-16 11:25:25 · answer #5 · answered by Ray 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, lets see...incarceration don't work....death penalty don't work....retribution???hmm, nahh, we have 2 choices..do what the Swedish or Chinese do..
Sweden: send them all to a Country Club for life..
China: send them all to an Insane Asylum
2006-06-16 11:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Protection of society. Therefore ssentences should be longer.
2006-06-16 11:24:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I need to read the answers.
2006-06-16 11:25:22 · answer #8 · answered by Ahmad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋