1) WHAT IS PUNISHMENT?

-Punishment, the infliction of some kind of pain or loss upon a person for a misdeed (i.e., the
transgression of a law or command). Punishment may take forms ranging from capital
punishment, flogging, forced labour, and mutilation of the body to imprisonment and fines.
Deferred punishments consist of penalties that are imposed only if an offense is repeated
within a specified time.

-Systems of criminal punishment exist to serve justice to offenders and protect the public.
Every society, throughout history and across the world, has unique ideas about the meaning
of these concepts. This has given rise to a variety of theories about how to address offenders
and their actions.

2)
3) JUSTIFICATION OF PUNISHMENT:

a. ) RETRIBUTION- This was primitive form of inflicting punisment by the way of personal
vengeance. In this omposition, the punishment would depend on the degree of satisfication
the aggrieved of offended party would obtain.

b.) ATONEMENT OR EXPIATION- This is similar to retribution wherein the penalty is

commensurate with the gravity of the offence based on the norms observed by the members
of the society

c.) DETERRENCE- It is based on the belief that the offender when punished and inflicted with
suffering would learn the lessons the hard way. It is also beneficial to society on the ground
that others know that crime does jot pay and would learn of the effects of violations to the
law.

d.) PROTECTION- It is the latest emerged after the establishment of prison systems. It has
been regarded as a social defense wherein the society would gain protection by putting
criminals behind bars.

e.) REFORMATION- It is the latest justification resorted by the imposition of punishment. It

operates by attempting to reform and rehabilitate law violators would return to the
community as responsible and productive members of society.