Crime and Punishment

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA

DONNA MCGEHEE

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

AXIA COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

SOC 120

MELANIE GRAF

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA

Most Americans in our country have been affected by crime either personally or have a close loved one who has been affected. Our politicians and government have tried to set standards to either deter crime from happening or adequately punish those who choose to commit crimes. Examining if the types of punishment imposed are effective in preventing repeat offenders or deterring a certain crime is a true reflection upon if our justice system is meeting its goals.

Retribution is perhaps society’s oldest response to a crime. It is basically pay back or the eye for an eye type of behavior. This is more of a personal response to a crime and not imposed by a justice system. Street violence is a good example of retribution. Often those who inform police of illegal activity face retribution from either the person they "snitched" on or one of their friends or gang members.

America has by far the highest incarceration rate in the developed world. The prison system is overcrowded, incredibly ineffective, and incredibly expensive. America’s hunger for retribution is the main driver in this scenario, and has resulted in some extreme absurdities. In one particular case, a criminal received a fifty year to life sentence for stealing $150 worth of video tapes. (Lockyer v. Andrade, 123 S. Ct. 1166 (2003).

Financial retribution is common and comes by way of fines or fees associated with an offense, but some believe this is not the best way to impose justice as the monetary amount must somehow coincide with the offense. Also the offender’s financial status is most likely unknown. According to Jacqueline Martin "In the case of fines, the financial position of an offender is not taken into account, leading to situations where an unemployed man and a millionaire could be forced...