The Four Types Of Punishment In The United States

In the United States crimes are committed every day. The question becomes what is the most effective way to handle those who committed the crimes. Every crime is different and every criminal has a different motive. Is there a way to choose one punishment or does each case need to be handled on an individual basis? Deciding the punishment is the most important way to ensure that the crime does not happen again by the same individual. The United States currently uses four types of punishment; retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and social protection.
Retribution can be described as, “An act of moral vengeance by which society makes the offender suffer as much as the suffering caused by the crime” (Macionis, p. 182). Retribution works to find a punishment that most fits the crime. If a person steals items from a store will removing their hand stop them from stealing again? This example of course would be considered cruel and unusual and in today’s society would not be acceptable punishment. The death penalty is the most common form of
For centuries, societies have established laws to protect citizens form crime. Throughout the years, these laws have continuously been enforced in attempt to maintain social order. One such law is punishment for those who act deviously. Acts of deviant behavior have been a social issue surrounded by much controversy throughout the United States. Those found guilty of deviant behavior have been dealt with through various forms and degrees of punishment. The United States justifies four types of punishment: retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and societal protection. These forms of punishment are society’s attempt to cease crime. This paper will explain in further detail the effectiveness these punishments have on Society, which type of punishment deters crime most effectively, and do the consequences of punishment provide any benefits for criminals and