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.

rgcraig · #4 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 · #5 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?

mizpeh · #6 07-02-2008, 09:04 AM

The law is not for the righteous. The punishments of the law are to instill fear into the hearts of those who may try to disobey the law. They act as a deterent for some. Rehab is for those who have seen the error of their ways and turn from them. Rehab only works for those who repent. All of these are found in the Bible, even safety. God wants us to live in peace and have peace. You can't have peace with the lawless running about causing trouble.

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, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

The law is not for the righteous. The punishments of the law are to instill fear into the hearts of those who may try to disobey the law. They act as a deterent for some. Rehab is for those who have seen the error of their ways and turn from them. Rehab only works for those who repent. All of these are found in the Bible, even safety. God wants us to live in peace and have peace. You can't have peace with the lawless running about causing trouble.

If it serves as a deterrent then it matters not if the individual is truly guilty but only that the public is of the opinion that the individual being punished is guilty. So deterrence has nothing to do with justice but serves only to provide an example of what will happen if you break the law. (This is C.S. Lewis' argument from God in the dock).

rgcraig · #9 07-02-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

The law is not for the righteous. The punishments of the law are to instill fear into the hearts of those who may try to disobey the law. They act as a deterent for some. Rehab is for those who have seen the error of their ways and turn from them. Rehab only works for those who repent. All of these are found in the Bible, even safety. God wants us to live in peace and have peace. You can't have peace with the lawless running about causing trouble.

Yes and thanks Mizpeh for putting it just like I feel.

Baron1710 · #10 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.