Foundations in Corrections

Tina L Napier

 Identify and discuss the similarities and differences between

general deterrence and specific deterrence.
 Using the resources and materials provided this week in class,
discuss a criminal case that best explains each theory.
 Provide your opinion on whether you believe these theories work
at preventing future crimes.

As a nation, incarceration is a relatively new concept. After hundreds

of years, possibly thousands, in which death was an answer to almost
any lawbreaking or simply lewd action, the late 1700s was the start of
a new era. From the opening of Walnut Street Jail through the
Auburn Correctional Facility, different models of reform have been
tried and repeated. Court systems have found ways in which to try to
deter behaviors and prevent crimes by using two forms of deterrence,
holding a powerful message to a community by saying “commit no
crime, or you will suffer as this criminal suffers.” (2022, UpCounsel)
Deterrence intimidates people from committing criminal acts, or that
is what the point is. General deterrence involves the punishment of an
action being severe enough that it causes the public to not want to
commit the crime in question, by discouraging the action. It can also
be as simple as a “Tow-Away Zone” sign placed for all to follow, or
the loss of a license if traffic fines are not paid. With specific
deterrence's they are directed towards the offender, and the crime
committed. If an offender has committed armed robbery and
sentenced to 8 years on a first-time offense, the thought is that the
criminal will not commit this crime again under the logic that the
sentencing will be longer the following time.
There are certain aspects to both types of deterrence that do not seem
to be taken into consideration when looking at certain facts of issues
such as recidivism rates. Recidivism is the “tendency toward criminal
behavior leading to numerous arrests and imprisonments.” (2022,
Britannica) The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines recidivism as “a
tendency to relapse into a previous condition, or mode of behavior;
especially; to relapse into criminal behaviors.” When one considers
that as many as half to three-quarters of incarcerated individuals have
already been imprisoned or jailed at another time, it should be said
that deterrence of any sort may not work in many cases, especially
when an offender has already adopted an institutionalized attitude.
Examples of specific deterrence include capital punishment. Once
executed, a person will never commit another crime.
 References

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General Deterrence and Punishment - Criminal Law Basics. (2022). UpCounsel.

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Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2021). Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/recidivism

recidivism | criminology | Britannica. (2022). In Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/recidivism?utm_campaign=b-

extension&utm_medium=chrome&utm_source=ebinsights&utm_content=Recidivism

Webster, N. (1928, April 14). Websters Dictionary 1828 - Webster’s Dictionary 1828 - entice.

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