Theories and Kinds of Punishment

The immediate consequence that follows a criminal act is known as punishment. Thus, punishment is defined as suffering, loss, pain, or any other penalty that is inflicted on a person for the crime by the concerned authority. There are different theories of punishment in law.

Theories of Punishment

There are different kinds of punishment that a person can face. In order to understand them, first, we need to understand the theories of the punishment. There are majorly four theories of punishment.

These theories are the deterrent theory, retributive theory, preventive theory, and reformative theory. We will discuss these theories in length below.

Deterrent Theory

The retributive theory assumes that the punishment is given only for the sake of it. Thus, it suggests that evil should be returned for evil without taking into consideration any consequences. There are two theories in which this theory can be divided further. They are specific deterrence and general deterrence.

In specific deterrence, punishment is designed such that it can educate the criminals. Thus, this can reform the criminals that are subjected to this theory. Also, it is maintained that the punishment reforms the criminals. This is done by creating a fear that the punishment will be repeated.

While a general deterrence is designed to avoid future crime. So, this is done by making an example of each defendant. Thus, it frightens the citizens to not do what the defendant did.

Browse more Topics under Indian Penal Code

• Definition and Meaning of Crime
• Difference between Crime and Tort
• Stages of Crime
• Elements of Crime
• Codification of Law of Crime in India
• Abetment under IPC – Insitgation, Conspiracy, Aid
• Offence affecting Life – Hurt Part I (Section 319 to Section 325)
• Offence affecting Life – Hurt Part II (Section 325 to Section 338)
• Offence Affecting Property – Theft
• Offence Affecting Property – Extortion
• Offence Affecting Property – Robbery and Dacoity
• Offence Affecting Property – Criminal Misappropriation of Property
• Offence Affecting Property – Criminal Breach of Trust
• Offence Affecting Property – Receiving of Stolen Property
• Offence Affecting Property – Cheating
• Offence relating to Marriage – Cruelty caused by Husband or relative of Husband
• Offence against Public Tranquility: Unlawful Assembly, Rioting, Affray
• Defamation
• Criminal Intimidation, Insult, and Annoyance
• Offences against State
• Offences Relating to Religion – IPC 295Offences Relating to Elections

Retributive Theory

Retribution is the most ancient justification for punishment. This theory insists that a person deserves punishment as he has done a wrongful deed. Also, this theory signifies that no person shall be arrested unless that person has broken the law. Here are the conditions where a person is considered as an offender are:

• The penalty given will be equivalent to the grievance caused by the person.
• Performed a crime of certain culpability.
• That similar persons have been imposed for similar offenses.
• That the action performed was by him and he was only responsible for it. Also, he had full knowledge of the penalty system and possible consequences.

Preventive Theory

This theory has used a restraint that an offender if repeats the criminal act is culpable for death, exile or imprisonment. The theory gets its importance from the notion that society must be protected from criminals. Thus, the punishment here is for solidarity and defense.

The modern criminologists saw the preventive theory from a different view. They first realized that the social and economic forces should be removed from society. Also, one must pay attention to individuals who show anti-social behavior. This is because of psychological and biological handicaps.

Reformative Theory

Deterrence and retributive are examples of classical and non-classical philosophies. The reformative theory was born out of the positive theory that the focal point of crime is positive thinking. Thus, according to this theory, the objective of punishment needs to be reformation by the offender.

So, this is not a punishment virtually but rather a rehabilitative process. Thus, this process helps in making a criminal a good citizen as much as possible. Furthermore, it makes the citizen a meaningful citizen and an upright straight man.

Practice Question on Theories of Punishment

Q. Which of these theories is the most ancient theory of justice?

A. Deterrent theory

B. Reformative theory

C. Retributive theory

D. None of the above

Answer: C. Retributive theory