The case against punishment
Subtitle: retribution, crime prevention, and the law
By: Deirdre Golash.
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 2005
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 219
Subjects: Punishment
Description: "Drawing on both empirical evidence and philosophical literature, this book argues that the harm done by punishing criminal offenders is ultimately morally unjustified. Asserting that punishment inflicts both intended and unintended harms on offenders, Deirdre Golash suggests that crime can be reduced by addressing social problems correlated with high crime rates, such as income inequality and local social disorganization. Punishment may reduce crime, but in so doing, causes a comparable amount of harm to offenders. Instead, Golash suggests, we should address criminal acts through trial, conviction, and compensation to the victim, while also providing the criminal with the opportunity to reconcile with society through morally good action rather than punishment."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-210) and index.
Table of contents: title: An institution in search of moral grounding; title: Does punishment do more good than harm?; title: Preserving the moral order; title: Retribution and social choice; title: Punishment as self-defense; title: Punishment as communication; title: Is punishment justified?; title: What if punishment is not justified?