Discussion Questions

  1. Many of the early deterrent punishments were brutal and public. Do you think that if we had more public punishments today that punishments would have a greater deterrent effect?
  2. How much punishment must we hand out in order for it to have a deterrent effect on crime? How much would Beccaria say is needed? Would Bentham agree?
  3. Is there really that much difference between incapacitation and retribution? Explain your position.
  4. Read Case Study 5.1. What purpose do you believe corporal punishment serves? Was it too severe a penalty in Michael Fay’s case? What would you have done if you could decide his punishment?