Explanation
Punitivity describes a societal and political orientation toward tougher sanctions, longer sentences, and stricter prison regimes. It reflects a cultural climate in which punishment is emphasized over prevention and rehabilitation. Rising punitivity is often linked to moral panics, political exploitation of crime, and public fear of crime.
Theoretical Reference
Punitivity is central to critical criminology and the sociology of punishment. David Garland has described the shift toward a “culture of control,” in which punitive measures dominate over rehabilitative ones.