Which concept holds that criminals deserve severe punishment to repay them for their wrongdoing?

• A. Retribution
• B. Deterrence
• C. Rehabilitation
• D. Incapacitation

Answer: (A)

Retribution centers on the belief that punishment is deserved because the offender harmed others; the punishment is a repayment or just deserts, with its severity tied to what the offense warrants. Describing punishment as repayment for wrongdoing directly captures this sense of moral accountability and proportional retribution. This viewpoint differs from deterrence, which aims to discourage future crimes by making punishment seem scary; rehabilitation, which seeks to reform the offender; and incapacitation, which focuses on keeping the offender from committing more crimes by removing them from society.