Aim of Punishments

Deterrence - To discourage and put people off from committing crimes. Puts people off from doing that action again. 

Christian response: Deterrence must be just. Punishments should not be any harsher than they need to be to put potential criminals off.

Strengths: People seeing criminals punished may deter others from crime

Weakness: People are not discourages by the example of others receiving punishments.

Retribution - Punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done.

Christian response: Punishment should be connected to justice and not revenge

Strengths: The victim feels a sense of justice

Weakness: Some criminals do not get severe enough punishments. Or the punishment can be too tough

Rehabilitation - It should help the offender see what they have done wrong and to change their behaviour so they do not repeat the offence.

Christian response: In line with Christian teachings on forgiveness 

Strengths: Helps the criminal to change. Through education, counselling, training. They can become productive members of society being reformed. 

Weakness: Some see it as too soft on criminals and not really a punishment.