Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

1. Key Words

   • Deterence
   • Retribution
   • Repentance
   • Forgiveness
   • Justice
   • Restorative Justice

2. Causes of Crime

   • Peer Pressure
   • Materialism i.e. For Money/ possessions
   • To get a high
   • Revenge
   • Bad background
   • Drugs/alcohol
   • Bordom

3. Prison

   • For
     • Makes them pay for what they have done
     • Gives them a chance to reform
     • Deters others
     • Protects others
   • Against
     • Costs a lot of money to keep them
     • Not a permanent solution
     • Not severe enough
     • Life doesn't always mean life
   • Alternatives to Prison - electronic tagging / fines

4. What the Bible says

   • Exodus: "You shall not murder " no matter what the criminal has done he shouldn't be murdered
   • Genesis: "god created mankind in his own image". All life is sacred even the life of a murderer
   • Genesis: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed". If any one has killed a man then they deserve to also be killed

5. Reasons for Punishment

   • Deterrence : To discourage the offender from committing similar crimes
   • Protection: for the safety of society, individuals in it and the offender
   • Reform: to help the offender become a better person
   • Retribution: revenge for those who have been wronged i.e. against the criminal
   • Reparation: to allow The criminal to 'pay' for what they have done and have their guilt wiped out to make a fresh start
   • Vindication: To show the authority of the law has won

6. Examples of Restorative justice

   • Restorative means fixing things or returning them to their natural state
     • It works by returning things back to normal eg meetings are organised between the victim nanda the offender to give the offender a chance To take steps to make voluntary reparation to their victims
       • Means more than paying money to victim

7. What the Churches say.....