Aims of Punishment

Aims of Punishment

• Retribution - this means revenge for what has been done
• Deterrent - to discourage others from committing the crime
• Protection - to protect the public. Especially important if the crime has been violent
• Reform - To educate and encourage them not to commit the crime again.

What do Christians think?

The bible suggests that some kind of retribution is OK (fracture for fracture; eye for eye; tooth for tooth).

However, Jesus also told us to be forgiving (he forgave his persecutors when he was on the cross). However, that doesn't…