Why do we punish criminals?

Baron1710 · #1 07-02-2008, 08:40 AM

This has been touched on somewhat in a few other posts but I was hoping we could have a discussion on this.

Why do we punish?

To promote safety?

Deterring crime?

Rehabilitation?

Retribution?

I know any answer may include more than one but which one is the most important in your view. What do you think is a Biblical view of punishment?

RevDWW · #2 07-02-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

This has been touched on somewhat in a few other posts but I was hoping we could have a discussion on this.

Why do we punish?

To promote safety?

Deterring crime?

Rehabilitation?

Retribution?

I know any answer may include more than one but which one is the most important in your view. What do you think is a Biblical view of punishment?

Do we really punish criminals?

Baron1710 · #3 07-02-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Do we really punish criminals?

Last I checked we had a pretty large prison population, we still execute people, yes I think it is safe to say we punish.

AmericanAngel · #4 07-02-2008, 09:13 AM

Ya mean, cause they are temperalily off the streets?
If you are innocent and taken to jail, that's a crime. If you are a criminal and taken to jail, that's a luxury.

ok...do we punish criminals? *sigh* No. Because if we did, no one would want to go to jail. Very few are changed, probably by a visiting church outreach program.

We have a bigger problem....God is last on our list in the system. Where they allow it and welcome it, it's working.

I'm not sure I like my answer, but it's the only one I got right now.

rgcraig · #5 07-02-2008, 08:57 AM

Just my two cents, but if we actually punished them like China does their prisoners, we'd probably have a few thousand empty jail cells.

Do the crime - pay the time in China is a true threat and they don't want to go back to prison.

There are too many repeat offenders in our prison system to say that rehab occurs.

Baron1710 · #6 07-02-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Just my two cents, but if we actually punished them like China does their prisoners, we'd probably have a few thousand empty jail cells.

Do the crime - pay the time in China is a true threat and they don't want to go back to prison.

There are too many repeat offenders in our prison system to say that rehab occurs.

So you would say retribution? You earned it, so we are going to give you what you deserve?

RevDWW · #7 07-02-2008, 09:06 AM

Having been in prison ministry for years, I have seen that inmates by and large are not really punished or rehabilitated. Hard labor would be a good form of punishment without giving them access to cable, weight rooms, etc. etc. etc. Many men come to prison and there buddies are there and they get to hang out, play cards, get three square meals a day and there is not much incentive not to return.

Baron1710 · #8 07-02-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Having been in prison ministry for years, I have seen that inmates by and large are not really punished or rehabilitated. Hard labor would be a good form of punishment without giving them access to cable, weight rooms, etc. etc. etc. Many men come to prison and there buddies are there and they get to hang out, play cards, get three square meals a day and there is not much incentive not to return.

I hear what you are saying but let me clarify. The question is why do we punish. Not how should we punish.

rgcraig · #9 07-02-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Having been in prison ministry for years, I have seen that inmates by and large are not really punished or rehabilitated. Hard labor would be a good form of punishment without giving them access to cable, weight rooms, etc. etc. etc. Many men come to prison and there buddies are there and they get to hang out, play cards, get three square meals a day and there is not much incentive not to return.

Very true - - some will actually do a crime to GET BACK in so they can live better than when they are out on the streets. Now that is sad.

AmericanAngel · #10 07-02-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Having been in prison ministry for years, I have seen that inmates by and large are not really punished or rehabilitated. Hard labor would be a good form of punishment without giving them access to cable, weight rooms, etc. etc. etc. Many men come to prison and there buddies are there and they get to hang out, play cards, get three square meals a day and there is not much incentive not to return.

Ditto