Once popular, this theory has fallen into disfavor. As a nation, we seem to be having problems with making punishment effective regardless of whichever theory is put into practice. The deterrence value of punishment seems to get weaker every day. Kids who join gangs and commit crimes are not deterred. Amazingly, some youths consider a stint in jail to be a rite of passage into manhood.
Rehabilitation is an even bigger failure than deterrence.
Rather than rehabilitating our criminals, we are providing them with a training ground for criminal behavior. Punishment for retribution's sake is not effective in terms of the societal self-protection principles. The revenge aspects of this punishment can make the criminal even more hardened and embittered than before and, therefore, an even greater danger to society. Society has not sat by idly while punishment has become less effective. In an attempt to protect itself, society has increased the penalties for many serious crimes.