Sociology of punishment

South Asia

Middle East

Europe

North America

The sociology of punishment seeks to understand why and how we punish; a general justifying goal of punishment as well as the principle of distribution. Punishment involves the designed infliction of pain and/or a deprivation of rights and liberties. Sociologists of punishment ordinarily examine state-sanctioned acts in relation to law-breaking; why, for instance, citizens supply consent to the legitimation of acts of violence.

Two of the almost common political and ethical motivations for formal punishment are utilitarianism and retributivism. Both these concepts form been articulated by law-makers and law-enforcers, but may be seen as descriptive rather than explanative. Sociologists note that although attempts of justification are introduced in terms of these principles, this does not fully explain why violent punitive acts occur. Social psychology and symbolic interactionism often inform idea and method in this area.

Retributivism

Retributivism covers any theories that justify punishment because the offender deserves it. This is interpreted in two ways, either:

Retributive theories usually put forward that deserving is a ≤sufficient≥ reason for punishment.

The leading strands of retributivism are:

The shape of desert means that the offender must be blameworthy and that an offender deserves punishment simply because he has offended, and so his punishment must relate to his wrongdoing. It can, therefore, be said to be backward-looking.

The picture of retributivism doesa number of purposes of punishment: to restore the balance if according to Lex Talionis or the Unfair expediency Principle, to openly and emphatically denounce crime, or to afford satisfaction. The principles of distribution can be derived from these purposes.

There are 3 main methods for deciding on punishment.

The above explanations for deciding on punishment raise a few issues:

Therefore, it can be seen that retributivist theories are not adequate to explain why and how we punish.

Retributivism as a justification for punishment can be seen to fall under the style of a Theory of the adjusting rather than a Theory of the Good.