Human beings have a tendency to deviate from the right path
and act in ways that can harm others, which is why society has a
responsibility to ensure the safety of its members. Punishment is one of the
methods employed by society to prevent, deter, and reform criminals. This
essay will explore the evolution of punishment, its role in maintaining
social order, and its recent shift towards reformative measures.
Society binds its members to a certain line of conduct to ensure the safety
and security of all. The freedom of an individual to direct their own life
is balanced by the freedom of society to dissociate itself from any actions
that conflict with its interests. Thus, punishment is essentially disowning
by society of acts done by its members when such acts are in conflict with
the general interest. The traditional theory of retribution, which inflicts
pain for the sake of pain, has few defenders today. The penalty given is to
be equated with the seriousness of the crime, and when a criminal is
punished, society is expressing its antagonism, which is necessary for the
preservation of the character of society. However, the aim of penal
sanctions is not revenge or retribution, which is incompatible with
forgiveness.
When a person is punished, they are prevented from repeating their offence,
and it can also have a deterrent effect on would-be criminals. Punishment
can also cause a criminal to realize the error of their ways and decide to
go straight in the future. However, there is also the opposite view that
when a prisoner is discharged, they may be filled with venom and hatred, and
punishment cannot have a deterrent effect.
The modern tendency is towards reform, and society's attitude towards
criminals today is more humane. Punishment is no longer an occasion for
community entertainment, and instead of disowning the criminal, society
tries to understand them. A case study is made of the criminal, and
psychologists and social workers try to detect reasons for their actions.
Lack of affection at home, environment, upbringing, and frustration are some
of the factors considered to be responsible for crimes. The aim is to remove
the factors that make a person deviate from the right path and help them to
fit into society. In prison, the emphasis is on reform, and the criminal is
taught a skill so that their time could be profitably spent, and they could
secure a job on release. The remedial measures adopted are intended to make
a criminal a normal person.
Punishment is the method by which society tries to maintain its moral
standard, and it also enables others to enjoy their freedom. Punishment
today is not about revenge, but about guaranteeing each person the freedom
to run their own life until they do something that gives society reason for
invading that freedom. Punishment has evolved to include a focus on
rehabilitation and reform, rather than simply punishment for its own sake.
In conclusion, punishment is an important aspect of maintaining social order
and ensuring the safety and security of society's members. The shift towards
reformative measures in recent years is a positive development, as it aims
to help criminals become productive members of society rather than simply
punishing them for their crimes. As society continues to evolve, so too will
its methods of punishment, and it is important to strike a balance between
the rights of the individual and the interests of society as a whole. |