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Topic 9- Punishment - Coggle Diagram
Topic 9- Punishment
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Marxism
The function of punishment is to maintain the social order. As part of repressive state apparatus its a means of defending ruiling class property against the lower classes. The form of punishment reflects the economic base of society. Rusche and Kirchheimer argue each type of society has its own corresponding penal system.
Melossi and Pavarini see imprisonment as reflecting capitalist relations of production for example capitalism puts a price on worker time so too prisoners do time to pay for their crimes.
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Reduction
One justification for punishing offenders is that it prevents future crime.
1) Deterrence: Punishing the individual discourages them from future offending
2) Rehabilitation: The idea that punishment can be used to reform or change offenders so they no longer offend eg providing education and training
3) Incapacitation: The use of punishment to remove the offender capacity to offend again eg imprisonment and execution
Retribution
Retribution means paying back. Its a justification for punishing crimes that have already been committed rather than preventing further crime. Based on idea that offenders deserve to be punished and society is entitled to take revenge.
Alternatives to prision
Cohen argues that the growth of community controls has simply cast the net of control over more people. The increased range of sanctions available simply enables control to penetrate ever deeper into society.