The Future of Policing

The criminal justice system
has four approaches
to controlling and punishing lawbreakers:

• Deterrence
• Retribution
• Incarceration
• Rehabilitation

Deterrence

Discouraging criminal acts
by threatening punishment

Studies show deterrence is most effective
when criminals know:

1) They are likely to get caught

2)Their punishment will be severe

[EXCEPTION: Capital punishment for murder]

Retribution

Punishment intended to make criminals pay compensation for their acts

Allows designated officials to exact retribution,
not personal vengeance

Incarceration

Protecting society from criminals
by keeping them in prisons

The U.S. has the highest rate of incarceration in the world

Rehabilitation

The process of changing or reforming a lawbreaker through socialization with the goal of societal reentry

Recidivism in the U.S. is common,
especially for drug-related crimes