Specific deterrence applies to an individual defendant. The two types of deterrence are specific and general deterrence. Specific and General Deterrenceĭeterrence aims to prevent future crime by frightening the defendant or the public. Taken collectively, these principles highlight the tension of criminal sanctions: to successfully reduce recidivism (that is, reduce the likelihood a particular offender will re-offend) and keep society safe, but also meaningfully reintegrate the offender into society. Historically theories of punishment have proposed five purposes for criminal sanctions: deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, restitution, and retribution. These twin goals are constantly in conflict.

On the other hand, society has a vested responsibility to protect the public. Criminal punishment seeks to balance these competing principles: on one hand, the idea of reformation – the offender should be reformed and rehabilitated. Through the enforcement of criminal law, society seeks to hold offenders accountable for their individual misdeeds, protect society, and change future behavior. The primary purpose of criminal law is punishment. Quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln “Laws without enforcement are just good advice.”

What is the purposes of sentencing