Education and Denunciation
Punishment can be explained by positive prevention theory to use the criminal justice system to teach people what are the social norms for what is correct, and acts as a reinforcement.
Punishment can serve as a means for society to publicly express denunciation of an action as being criminal. Besides educating people regarding what is not acceptable behavior, it serves the dual function of preventing vigilante justice by acknowledging public anger, while concurrently deterring future criminal activity by stigmatizing the offender. This is sometimes called the "Expressive Theory" of denunciation. The pillory was a method for carrying out public denunciation.
Read more about this topic: Punishment, Possible Reasons For Punishment
Famous quotes containing the words education and, education and/or denunciation:
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—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)
“As for the graces of expression, a great thought is never found in a mean dress; but ... the nine Muses and the three Graces will have conspired to clothe it in fit phrase. Its education has always been liberal, and its implied wit can endow a college.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists the circulation of their blood.”
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946)