Key Crime and Punishment Terms
Understanding crime starts with knowing that it's any action which breaks the law - whether that's harming people, damaging property, or acting against the state. But why do people commit crimes in the first place?
Several factors can lead someone down this path. Poverty might drive someone to steal, whilst addiction could push people to break laws to fund their habits. Sometimes mental illness affects behaviour, or people's upbringing in difficult environments shapes their choices. Greed and wanting more than you have is another powerful motivator.
When it comes to punishment, society has three main goals. Deterrence means scaring people away from crime by showing consequences. Retribution is about getting the criminal back for what they've done. Reformation focuses on helping criminals change their mindset and behaviour for the better.
Quick tip: Remember the three R's of punishment - Retribution (payback), Reformation (change), and... well, deterRence (prevention)!
Different punishments serve these goals differently. Prison removes dangerous people from society, community service makes criminals give back, whilst the death penalty represents the ultimate retribution. The principle of utility suggests we should choose punishments that create the greatest good for the most people.