Alternatives to Punishment Include

General UK punishment Justice (some christian views + non-religious) Christian views on justice P1 S3.5 Punishment Alternatives to punishment include; Aims of punishment Christian views on punishment (questions and answers) P1 S3.5 Punishment 1. General 1.1. The reasons why punishment exists, such as protection, deterrent, retribution, reform, reparation; the types of punishment such as imprisonment, fines, community service. 1.2. Why punishment is important for Christians: biblical teachings about punishment (including Galatians 6:1-5); why punishment can be regarded as justice; why punishment might be needed in society. Christian attitudes towards the aims of punishment; the strengths and weaknesses of each of the aims of punishment. 2. Alternatives to punishment include; 2.1. care 2.1.1. some juvenile criminals--aged 18 and under-can be taken into care by the local authority. 2.2. cautions 2.2.1. some offenders, especially juveniles, are given a formal caution by the police. 2.3. conditional discharge 2.3.1. the offender makes and is made to keep a promise not to re-offend. 3. Aims of punishment 3.1. Protection 3.1.1. To protect society from criminals. Means protecting victims of crimes that have already been committed, and the rest of soclety. Dangerous criminals who have committed awful crimes can be locked up away from society to offer this protection 3.1.2. Strengths 3.1.2.1. Victims will feel safe from criminals, 3.1.2.2. Other people in society are safe from becoming victims of crime committed by that offender. 3.1.3. Weaknesses 3.1.3.1. The protection Is only relevant while the offender is in prison. When they are released they could re offend. 3.1.3.2. Sometimes prison sentences seem lenient. This may mean an offender doesn't spend long in prison and the protection is limited. 3.2. Retribution 3.2.1. Criminals should pay for their crimes. It can help victims feel a sense of justice that the offender was punished. Retribution involvesthe offender losing something, e.g. freedom if imprisoned, or time if given community service. It could be a fine where the money may be used to help compensate the victim. 3.2.2. strengths 3.2.2.1. makes the victim of a crime feel a sense of justice; that the offender 'got what they deserved' 3.2.2.2. the offender is 'made to pay', which could be enough to make them change their ways 3.2.3. weaknesses 3.2.3.1. doesnt always work. some victims feel that the punishment isnt severe enough 3.2.3.2. often many offenders commit the same offence again, meaning the punishment has had a little effect 3.3. Detterence 3.3.1. This means to discourage people from committing crimes. If a Mugger gets person sees how someone has been 5 years punished for a crime, the idea is they will not want to suffer the same punishment and therefore will not commit the same crime 3.3.2. stengths 3.3.2.1. the punishment will hopefully be enough to prevent others commiting the same crimes 3.3.3. weaknesses 3.3.3.1. doesnt always work, nearly half of all criminals re offend and prisons are full 3.4. Reformation 3.4.1. Punishments are intended to help the offender see that what they have done is wrong and to give them the opportunity to reform and change Reformation can involve providing the offender with education, skills, qualifications or job training so they can become a law-abiding citizen again. 3.4.2. strengths 3.4.2.1. gives offenders and opportunitiy to change their lives and make amends for what they have done wrong 3.4.2.2. can often involve skill development or training which means the offender has more opportunities availiable to them in the future 3.4.3. weaknesses 3.4.3.1. sometimes seem like the criminal is being given a fresh chance rather than a punishment 3.4.3.2. some could feel the offender has benefited rather than punished, victims could feel they have not had justice 3.5. which is most effective (opinion based) 3.5.1. Protection – good for victim + protecting civilians BUT doesn’t necessarily teach the criminals anything, crimes might occur again once released 3.5.2. Reformation – good to try teach someone the right way BUT doesn’t necessarily work for psychopaths 4. Christian views on punishment (questions and answers) 4.1. 1. How would you describe the Old Testament view on punishment? 4.1.1. Punishment was severe and people could be put to death for murder, adultery , and a range of religious crimes such as blasphemy (speaking against God, not a crime anymore) 4.1.2. 'eye for eye,tooth for tooth' (Exodus 21:24), criminal should suffer as their victims have 4.2. 2. How does the New Testament differ? Give evidence from the Gospel of Matthew and Galatians. 4.2.1. In Galatians, Paul makes it clear that Christians should always deal gently with sinners: 'if someone is caught in a sin, you live by the Spirit should restore that person gently' 4.2.2. Believe in forgiveness 4.2.3. Gospel of Matthew - people should never take revenge at all, but always forgive those who have caused harm: 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?', Jesus answers 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven-times 4.3. 3. Briefly outline Catholic and C of E views, with evidence. 4.3.1. C OF E: The church of England bishops stated in 1999 that they 'recognize they need to reintegrate offenders into the community through prison and community based programmes and in partnership with employment and accommodation schemes.' 4.3.2. Catholicism : 'the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor' 4.4. 4. Why is Elizabeth Fry a key figure, within this topic? 4.4.1. The 18th century prison reformer, quaker, she said 'Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the criminal .' 4.4.2. She sums up the mainstream Christian attitude to punishment 4.4.3. John 8 Jesus forgives the woman caught in the act of adultery, ultimate goal is to rehabilitate 4.4.4. Bible also teaches the need to protect the weak and vulnerable (Psalm 82: 3 )and Christians therefore accept that it is sometimes necessary to restrict a person's freedom for the protection of the wider society. 4.5. 5. Look at the websites for Prison Fellowship and Street Pastors. Give further detail re: what they do. 4.5.1. Prison Fellowship 4.5.1.1. Christian organisation that offers prisoners practical support and prayer 4.5.1.2. Volunteers run Bible Study and prayer groups in prisons and aim to put their christian faith into action by showing justice and mercy 4.5.1.3. They have restorative justice programmes to help prisoners understand the impact of their crimes on victims and the community (to help reduce reoffending) 4.5.2. Street Pastors 4.5.2.1. Christian group that trains volunteers from local churches to patrol the streets at night 4.5.2.2. Offering practical help and prayer to people coming out of pubs and clubs 4.5.2.3. Look after people who are potentially vulnerable + calm people down who have potential to cause distress to others (if they have consumed too much alcohol) 4.5.2.4. Street pastors also offer care, listening + helping young people in schools/college 5. UK punishment 5.1. In the United Kingdom, if you break the law, you may be: 5.1.1. taken into custody: 5.1.1.1. people over 21 are sent to prison. Some times the sentence is suspended. This means the offender will not go to prison unless he or she offends again during a set period of time. People under 21 go to young offender institutions. 5.1.2. fined 5.1.3. given a set number of hours' community service 5.1.4. ordered to go to attendance centres: 5.1.4.1. these are run by the police. Young offenders go to them for a set number of hours. 5.1.5. given a probation order: 5.1.5.1. offenders have to see a probation officer or attend a probation centre. A probation order can be combined with a community service order. 5.2. Britian does NOT carry out the death penalty, tough other countires do. Torture, corporal punishment and physical mutilation are also illegal in the UK, although not in all countries. 6. Christian views on justice 6.1. main idea 6.1.1. Christians and non-religious people alike support justice and many religious and nonreligious organisations work to support victims of crime. The most important difference is that nonreligious people do not believe that God is an agent of Justice, do not behave according to laws set out in the Bible, and do not believe in an afterlife in which they will be punished or rewarded. 6.1.2. Christians would argue that God is real and is active in defending them. They would argue that core Christian principles, such as forgiveness and reconciliation, are given special meaning through Jesus. They believe Jesus enables all people who truly repent of wrongdoing to be forgiven by God. This does not mean that they do not need to serve justice in this life, but they are not prevented from being united with God in this life or the life to come 6.2. why is justice important to Christians? 6.2.1. 'And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' (Micah 6:8) 6.2.2. Justice is very important in Christianity because christians believe that God is just, and requires his people to act justly too. 6.2.3. Believe that God judges based on his intimate knowledge of people's hearts. 6.2.4. 'Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.' (Luke 11:4) 6.2.5. Christians therefore support systems that uphold justice and will often speak out about situations they feel to be unjust for individuals or communities. First 5 books of the OT, as often refered to by Christian scholars as 'the Law' because they contain laws given by God to humanity. 6.2.6. Christians believe in justice (see 2;1) and that people should be treated fairly according to the law. If God is just, then he will reward people who deserve reward, and punish people who deserve punishment. 6.2.7. 'Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven' - (Luke 3:37) 6.2.8. In the NT, jesus taught that simply obeying the laws of God was not enough to save people (see 1:5). He emphasises grace (undeserved love), forgiveness and reconciliation. He taught that it was not for people to judge and punish eachother but they should forgive those who have done them wrong. 6.2.9. God will ultimately judge people fairly: 'Each person was judged according to what they had done.' (Revelation 20: 13) 6.3. How should christians treat criminals? 6.3.1. You should love them and not punish them for what they have done 6.3.2. Sermon on the mount 6.3.3. Look at yourself first 7. Justice (some christian views + non-religious) 7.1. punishment as justice 7.1.1. Christians believe in justice (see 2.1), and that people should be treated fairly according to the law. If God is just, then he will reward people who deserve reward, and punish people who deserve punishment. As in the story of the master and his servants, Christians believe that God judges based on his intimate knowledge of people's hearts. 7.2. punishment in society 7.2.1. Christians believe that if a society has just laws; 7.2.1.1. there must be just and fair punishments to support these laws 7.2.1.2. if someone is found to be guilty of an offence after a fair trial, they must be given a just and fair punishment 7.2.1.3. punishment can therefore support society. 7.2.2. If laws are seen as unjust or unfair, then people may: 7.2.2.1. resent them, and protest against them 7.2.2.2. refuse to obey them - for example, campaigns against the so-called Poll Tax and Bedroom Tax 7.2.2.3. fight among themselves, possibly leading to a civil war. 7.3. why is justice important to non-religious people? 7.3.1. Non religious people do not: do not believe that God is an agent of jusice, do not behave according to laws set out in the bible and do not believe in the afterlife 7.3.2. Justice is important to non-religious people for the same reasons it is important in society: it maintains peace and order, it ensures that everyone is treated fairly according to their actions, and it ensures victims obtain the justice they deserve. 7.3.3. Atheists do not belleve in God, and agnostics do not believe it is possible to know whether or not God exists. Therefore, people who would define themselves in these ways would not consult any higher power when it comes to justice. They would disagree with the Christian view that God is the ultimate judge, and would instead support a fair justice system. 7.3.4. Non-religious people, particularly Humanists, would also abide by the 'Golden Rule's an important principle, which is: do as you would have others do to you. People should be treated with respect - not only victims, but also criminals; they should receive a fair trial, be allowed to defend themselves, and be treated humanely while in custody. Another key Humanist principle is that people are free to act however they wish, as long as it does not cause harm to others. When others are harmed, justice is needed in order to protect society. 7.3.5. specific non religious views 7.3.5.1. Non-religious people do not have a god to look to, so look to the law to know what is right or wrong. 7.3.5.2. It maintains peace and order and ensures that everyone is treated fairly according to their actions, and ensures victims get the justice they deserve. 7.3.5.3. Humanists believe in the 'golden rule' as an important principle which is a 'do as you would have others to you' - people should treat each other with respect (not only victims but criminals. 7.3.5.4. Allows victims as well as criminals to defend themselves and be treated humanely ( for criminals when in custody). 7.3.5.5. When others are harmed, justice is needed in order to protect society. 7.3.5.6. Atheists do not believe in God, and agnostics do not believe it is possible to know whether or not God exists. Therefore people would define themselves in these ways would not consults any higher power when it comes to justice.