Prevents future crime by frightening the defendant or the public, involves making the offender or others refrain from committing the offence again.
This can be done by making them aware of the consequences if they offend, such as losing their freedom.
Punishing a person can be deterrent to others; known as general deterrence.
There are two types: specific and general. Specific deterrence targets the individual defendant, making them less likely to reoffend due to fear of further punishment. General deterrence targets the public, discouraging crime by showing the consequences of punishment, such as life imprisonment or the death penalty, which creates fear of prosecution.