Explanation
Punishment is a core concept in criminology and sociology, referring to the deliberate infliction of sanctions on individuals who violate laws or norms. It serves multiple purposes, including deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, and incapacitation. The forms of punishment have evolved historically, from corporal and capital punishment to incarceration and community-based sanctions. Scholars emphasize that punishment is not only a legal response to crime but also a social institution shaped by cultural values, economic conditions, and power relations.
Theoretical Reference
Rusche & Kirchheimer’s Punishment and Social Structure (1939) analyzes how punishment systems reflect economic production relations and serve as tools of social control.