What is the primary focus of 'punishment theory'?

Punishment theory primarily focuses on deterring crime through punitive measures. This approach is grounded in the belief that the threat of punishment can discourage both the offender from reoffending and potential offenders from committing crimes in the first place. It emphasizes the role of punishment not just as a means of dealing with criminal behavior but also as a preventive strategy aimed at decreasing overall crime rates in society.

The idea of deterrence within punishment theory posits that if individuals perceive the consequences of committing a crime as severe and likely, they may be less inclined to engage in such behaviors. This theory encompasses various perspectives on how punishment can function, including general deterrence, which aims to discourage the broader population, and specific deterrence, which seeks to prevent recidivism in individual offenders.

While rehabilitation, victim compensation, and fair trials are important aspects of the criminal justice system, they do not represent the primary focus of punishment theory. Rehabilitation is concerned with reforming the offender, victim compensation addresses the needs of victims rather than punishment itself, and ensuring fair trials is a fundamental aspect of due process rather than a direct aim of punishing offenders. Thus, the primary focus remains on the role of punishment as a deterrent to criminal behavior.