Crime and punishment

define the term capital punishment

execution as punishment for a crime

community service

punishing offenders by making them do unpaid work in the community

conscience

the inner voice in our head that tells us right from wrong. It is also seen as the sense of feeling guilty when you have done something wrong. Many religious people believe that it is God’s guidance.

corporal punishment

punishment of an offender by causing them physical pain.

crime

a breach of the law

what are the aims of punishment?

deterrence, reformation, retribution

deterrence

putting people off committing future crimes

evil

the opposite of good; an act which is immoral or wicked

forgiveness

pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

free will

the ability of people to make decisions for themselves without constraint

hate crimes

crimes which are motivated by hatred of a person’s race, religion, sexuality, disability, sex or gender

incapacitation

preventing the criminal from committing more crimes

justice

what is right and fair

law and order

the rules of our society and how they are enforced. These rules exist to try keep society a calm and safe place.

morality

a belief concerning what is right or wrong in terms of judging behaviour and action

punishment

something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty of a crime

reformation

changing someone’s behaviour so they don’t commit future crimes

retribution

giving the criminal ‘what they deserve’

sanctity of life

the belief that all life is sacred because it is created and loved by God.

Shari’ah law

Islamic holy law

sin

an act which goes against God’s will

suffering

a feeling of pain, harm, distress or hardship