Quote:
|
I thought you said it's not a deterrant, but now you are saying that. Which is it? What about all the rhetoric politicians talk about "getting tough on crime" by increasing penalties aren't they trying to use them as deterrants? [/B]
|
It is not a deterrant. It is a choice. You can choose to commit a crime or you can choose not to commit a crime. Penalties are not intended to be deterrants. The fact of the matter is that it comes down to choice. People who commit crimes know that is against the law, yet does that stop them. No. When they hit the streets again, did the fines or imprisonment stop them from doing it again. Recitivism is upwards of 70%. We put people in prison to punish, not reform or deter. Yes, for those of us who are good law-abiding citizens, a penalty may be construed as being a deterrant, because we may say that we do not want to go to prison, but in reality, we know stealing from a bank (i.e.) is wrong.