1. Crime and Punishment Examples of crimes against a person 1. 2. 3.
Examples of crime against property 3
Examples of crimes against state
Aims of Punishment
Deterrence –
Protection –
Reformation –
Reparation –
Retribution –
Vindication -
Strength Weakness
Crime and Punishment
Why people commit crimes
Social Reasons:
Environmental Reasons:
Psychological Reasons:
Drug Addiction:
Law and order
To maintain law and order it is important that those who do wrong are punished. This brings justice and victims of crime are reassured that they are valued In society.
Religious Attitude to Law and Order
All religions teach the importance of respecting the law but some encourage believers to challenge unjust laws and come to the defence of those who are persecuted. Religious teachings support the idea that offenders need to be punished suitably to achieve justice and reparation (but not retribution). They encourage offenders to take responsibility for their actions and to repent. Religious teachings encourage forgiveness and the ability to change so many see reformation as the main aim of punishment.
Religion and Human Nature
Religious attitudes to crime and punishment are influenced by the teachings and beliefs about people and human nature. These can be used to illustrate answers to the questions on this topic:
Human life is valuable
All people have a conscience
All people are capable of doing right and wrong actions
People are sometimes driven by selfish needs
People need moral codes to guide them in making decisions.

2. Alternatives to Prison
Types of punishment
Community Service –
Fines –
Imprisonment –
Probation –
Tagging -
Alternatives to Prison
ASBO, Community Service, Tagging, Restorative Justice, Fines, Corporal Punishment, Curfew or Probation
Advantages 1. 2. 3. 4.
Disadvantages
Keywords
Crime – An offence that breaks the law
Crime against a person – Crime that physically/mentally hurts someone
Crime against property – Crime that damages someone else’s property
Crime against the state – Crime that undermines the authority of the government or state
Law – Rules of society put in place by the government
Religious Offence – Crime against religion or breaking a religious rule (a sin)
Aim of punishment – the reasons why criminals are punished
Criminal – a person that breaks a law
Punishment – consequence of being found guilty of a crime
Parole – releasing a prisoner early from prison for good behaviour
Early release – Being released early from prison
Order – the state of peace and harmony in society when the law is followed
Justice – bringing about fairness, putting right a wrong action
Responsibility – having a duty to care for someone
Duty – a moral or legal obligation to do the right thing
Forgiveness – Showing mercy, compassion; accepting someone even if they have done wrong
Conscience – the inner voice that tells a person that they are doing right or wrong
Young offender – Person under 18 that has committed a crime
Capital Punishment – Death penalty
Religious teachings.
All religions teach sanctity of life, justice, social harmony, repentance and forgiveness
Sikhism
Christianity
Capital Punishment
Usually reserved for the most serious crimes. Execution by lethal injection, hanging, stoning etc.
Arguments for the death penalty 1. 2. 3. 4.
Arguments against the death penalty 4