The four key theories of punishment are as follows:
- Deterrence: This is the idea that punishment will make people
afraid of committing crimes in future, which is why most states
have policies regarding criminal offenses. This is the underlying
principle they use.
- Retribution- This is the idea that punishments should make
criminals suffer for what they have done wrong.
- Reform- This is the idea that punishments should try to change
criminals so that they will not commit crimes again. This means
that in internal shift will occur as a result of the punishment
itself.
- Protection- This is based on the idea that the purpose of
punishment should be to protect the ordinary members of the
society.