3-1 Journal_CK

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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CJ 112- 2

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Law

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by SuperHumanField9202

1 3-1 Journal: What Do You Think? Carrie Kozol Southern New Hampshire University CJ-112: Intro to Criminal Justice Oludele Doherty January 24, 2024

2 3-1 Journal: What Do You Think? I prioritized the four purposes of punishment, placing rehabilitation as the foremost, followed by incapacitation, retribution, and deterrence as the least significant. Rehabilitation is a method used to help first-time offenders who have been convicted of low-level crimes pay their societal debt. The primary objective is to assist them in enhancing their current self and life circumstances to decrease their likelihood of reoffending. Certain crimes may have been committed due to factors such as self-defense, mental health issues, drug use, young age, or poverty (Peak & Harold, 2023). I believe that all individuals should have a chance to succeed, but certain crimes, such as repeat offenders, murder for hire, violent sexual assaults, and certain murder cases should not be given this opportunity (Peak & Harold, 2023). Instead of concentrating solely on the core facts of the case, it is crucial to ascertain the method in which the crime was perpetrated to decide whether the severity of the punishment should be heightened or lessened (Peak & Harold, 2023). Nonviolent crimes aim to improve an individual's living conditions without intending to cause harm to others. Rehabilitation programs may not be suitable for everyone, but they are effective in managing punishment for some offenders and reducing overcrowding in jails and prisons. In the case of a capital punishment conviction, it indicates the commission of a violent crime, rendering rehabilitation an impractical consideration. Nevertheless, I believe that rehabilitation can be employed within prison systems to address the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals. Incapacitation is a highly effective method for removing offenders and safeguarding society by incarcerating them in various institutions, including jails, prisons, mental institutions, or even execution (Peak & Harold, 2023). Institutions are used for those convicted of violent crimes or repeat offenders, although crimes can still be committed during their

3 confinement. Additionally, probation and parole serve as alternative approaches to incapacitation (Peak & Harold, 2023). Capital punishment is a severe punishment where an individual is permanently removed from society, requiring them to follow a set of rules to prevent future crimes and demonstrate their ability to contribute to society. Considering the nature and specifics of the crime, I believe that capital punishment could be an appropriate sentencing option. Retribution discourages future criminal behavior by reducing personal vengeance. Victims or society feel relieved when a defendant has been punished, leading to increased trust in law enforcement and government, as they feel satisfied with the criminal justice system. Capital punishment may be viewed as a form of retribution, akin to "an eye for an eye" for families who have lost a loved one to murder (Peak & Harold, 2023). Deterrence can be general or specific, with general deterrence involving public perception of others' punishments to anticipate similar behavior (Peak & Harold, 2023). Specific deterrence is the use of punishment against specific offenders to prevent them from repeating their criminal activities in the future (Peak & Harold, 2023). Deterrence is the belief that punishment is employed to deter others from committing similar acts. While this holds true in certain scenarios, contingent on the crime's nature, an individual may or may not contemplate the consequences beforehand or believe in the likelihood of avoiding detection. I considered deterrence the least significant factor because the entire process of arrest and imprisonment should function as a deterrent rather than using someone's life to teach a lesson. Although people may be aware of punishment for certain crimes, depictions in crime shows and media could distort their perceptions of acceptability. Moreover, an offender's social standing, wealth, or the ability to hire a proficient defense attorney could result in a lenient sentence. This only underscores to the public how one might receive a reduced punishment or

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