"Punishment is the way in which society expresses its denunciation of wrong doing; and, in order to maintain respect for the law, it is essential that the punishment inflicted for grave crimes should adequately reflect the revulsion felt by the great majority of citizens for them. It is a mistake to consider the objects of punishments as being a deterrent or reformative or preventive and nothing else... The truth is that some crimes are so outrageous that society insists on adequate punishment, because the wrong doer deserves it, irrespective of whether it is a deterrent or not."



The moral imperative to carry out the required punishment (retribution), rehabilitation, incapacitation, respect for the victim, peace of mind for the victim’s family and deterrence have all been suggested as reasons for punishment.



It is clear it is morally correct to punish criminals, but as discussed previously the actual moral level of punishment is difficult to ascertain (public opinion has fluctuated significantly throughout history). Even if found, we recall that we are not obliged to carry it out, it must have a purpose and be practical.



It is also clear that with the death penalty, rehabilitation is non-existent and that incapacitation is absolute (the incapacitation effect is discussed later). I also believe that respect for the victim falls under our moral obligation as if we give the correct, moral, punishment for the crime we do indeed show respect to the victim.