1. THE PURPOSES OF
PUNISHMENT
Sentencing and Punishment

2. Deterrence
• Specific
• General
Retribution
Rehabilitation Incapacitation

3. Deterrence
 Something that discourages or intends to
discourage someone from doing something
 Specific deterrence – aims to discourage the
offender from reoffending
 General deterrence – aims to “send a message”
to the broader community, discouraging them
from similar behaviour
 Theoretically, issuing a more severe
punishment will act as a stronger deterrent
than a lower punishment.
 In actuality, there is little evidence that severe
sanctions are an effective deterrent. (E.g. death
penalty for drug smuggling in Indonesia.)

4. Retribution
 The main reason for placing sanctions on an
offender
 Relates to revenge or “payback”, but is bigger
than this. It also ensures:
 The offender is adequately punished
 The offender is accountable for his/her actions
 The harm done to the victim/community is
recognised.

5. Rehabilitation
 Will be considered in almost all cases
 Aims to deter the offender from reoffending by
attempting to change the mindset of the
offender
 Might involve:
 Counselling and support groups
 Clearly showing the result of their actions
 Education programs
 Media campaigns (community wide)

6. Incapacitation
 „to protect the community from the offender‟
(Crimes [Sentencing Procedure] Act)
 This often takes the form of removing the
offender from the community
 Imprisonment
 Home detention
 Cancellation of licence
 (Removing resources eg firearms)