Evaluating the usefulness of punishment theories in the context of crimes committed by those in custody

Abstract

It is inevitable and regrettable that inmates continue to commit crimes while serving their sentences. This is rather bizarre because prisons are naturally confined spaces that leave one with little or no liberty to do what one would normally do outside of prison, let alone committing crime.  This raises questions concerning the pragmatic position of scientific theories that are not only formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena but are also seen as a bedrock of scientific research. It would not be far-fetched to expect any research paper to include a section on a theoretical framework that is essentially a representation of some level of the application of particular scholarly theories. However,  not much has been documented about the usefulness of scientific theories that normally form part of research papers. This analytic paper evaluated the usefulness of scholarly theories in the criminal justice system field, specifically punishment theories, by reflecting on the crimes committed by inmates while serving their time. This study found that retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation are not useful theories in terms of theoretical scope. The incapacitation theory is not useful in terms of heuristic value, and deterrence, and rehabilitation are not useful in terms of validity. 

Keywords: {'name': 'Crime, Prisons, Scholarly theories, Punishment theories'}

Authors & affiliations

Puleng Motlalekgosi
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Science, 1(1), 38–43

DOI: 10.1590/S0103-40142007000300002

Adrignola, Spaynton, and Trijnstel. (2012, November 5). Survey of communication study/Chapter 5 – Communication theory.

Africa International Advisors. (2020). The South African criminal justice system: A systems perspective. Retrieved from https://www.africaia.com/insights/

DOI: 10.2307/1133492

DOI: 10.1162/qjec.2009.124.1.105

Bezuidenhout, R. (2014). Theory in research. In F, Du Plooy-Cilliers, C, Davis, and R, Bezuidenhout (eds.). Research Matters. (pp. 36–58). Cape Town, South Africa: Juta.

Bless, C., Higson-Smith, C., and Sithole, S.L. (2013). Fundamentals of Social Research Methods: An African Perspective (5th ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: Juta.

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2910719

Burchell, J., and Milton, J. (2005). Principles of Criminal Law (3rd ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: Juta.

Carlson, N.A., Hess, K.M., and Orthmann, C.M.H. (1999). Corrections in the 21st century. Belmont CA, United States: Wadsworth.

Carney, L.P. (1974). Introduction to Correctional Science. New York, United States: McGraw Hill.

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. (2009). Myths and Common Concerns about Sex and Sexual Violence in Men’s Prisons. Johannesburg, South Africa: CSVR.

Coetzee, W. and Gericke, M. (1997). Professional Skills Development. Cape Town, South Africa: Juta.

DOI: 10.1177/0306624X16631347

Department of Correctional Services (DCS). (2005). White Paper on Corrections. Pretoria, South Africa: DCS.

Du Plooy-Cilliers, R. (2014). Theory in research. In F, Du Plooy-Cilliers, C, Davis, and R, Bezuidenhout (eds.). Research Matters. (pp. 282–292). Cape Town, South Africa: Juta.

Gorr, M.J., and Harwood, S. (1995). Crime and Punishment: Philosophic Explorations. Boston, United States: Jones and Bartlett.

DOI: 10.2307/25148742

Hoover, K., and Donovan, T. (2011). The Elements of Social Scientific Thinking (10th ed.). Wadsworth, United States: Cengage Learning.

Human Rights Watch. (1994). Prison Conditions in South Africa. New York, United States: Human Rights Watch.

Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., and Womack, D.F. (2003). Building Communication Theory (4th ed.). Prospect Heights, United States: Waveland Press.

Jali Commission. (2005). Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Incidents of Corruption, Maladministration, Violence or Intimidation, at the Department of Correctional Services, as Appointed by Order of the President of the Republic of South Africa in Terms of Proclamation No. 135 Of 2001, as Amended (“the Jali Commission”).

Joyce, P. (2006). Criminal Justice: An Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice System. Portland, United States: Willan Publishing.

JRank. (2014). Punishment – theories of punishment – utilitarian, society, theory and criminal. Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/9576/PunishmentTHEORIESPUNISHMENT.

html#ixzz3AxLMYpot

Kainar, E.E. (2016). The Problem of Combating Organized Crime in the Penal System of Republic of Kazakhstan and other Countries. Journal of Advanced Research in Law and Economics, 6(2), 310-320

Karim, E. (2020). The critical evaluation of the different theories of punishment. The Jahangirnagar Review Part-C(XXIX), 471–489

DOI: 10.1017/S1049096506060264

DOI: 10.4135/9781412994101.n8

Littlejohn, S.W., and Foss, K.A. (2008). Theories of Human Communication (9th ed.). New York, United States: Wadsworth.

Littlejohn, S.W., and Foss, K.A. (2011). Theories of Human Communication (10th ed.). Long Grove, United States: Waveland Press.

Luvhengo, P. (2022). About 48 prisoners escape from SA’s prisons each year: Ronald Lamola. Times Live, 09 June

Mãra Lustes. (2014). Philosophies of punishment. Retrieved from http://marisluste.files.

wordpress.com/2010/11/soda-filozofijas-3.pdf

Marais, R. (2022). Seven escape from Makhanda prison through open window. Times Live, 18 October.

DOI: 10.2307/1141839

DOI: 10.1525/nclr.2012.15.4.465

Mohanlal Sukhadia University, (2022).

Neser, J.J. (2001). Mandatory minimum sentences in the South African context. Crime Research in South Africa 3(3). Retrieved from https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/EJC29085

Neser, J.J., Cilliers, C., Kriel, J., and Malan, S.P. (1993). Penitentiary Penology (2nd ed.). Johannesburg, South Africa: Lexicon Publishers.

Neuman, W.L. (1997). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (3rd ed.). Needham Heights, United States: Allyn & Bacon.

Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (7th ed.). Edinburgh Gate, England: Pearson Education.

Noonan, M.E. (2016). Mortality in State Prisons, 2001-2014 Statistical Tables. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

DOI: 10.4324/9781315213033

Peté, S.A. (2006). Between the devil and the deep blue sea: The spectre of crime and prison overcrowding in post-apartheid South Africa. Obiter, 27(3), 429–453

Phillips, C. (2019). The inside story on crime within prison. The Conversation, 26 March. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/the-inside-story-on-crime-within-prison-114075

Rabie, M.A., and Strauss, S.A. (1985). Punishment: An Introduction to Principles (4th ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: Lex Patria Publishers.

Saferspaces. (2022). Prison violence in South Africa: Context, prevention and response. Retrieved from https://www.saferspaces.org.za/understand/entry/prison-violence-in-south-africa-context-prevention-and-response

Samaha, J. (2011). Criminal Law (10th ed.). Belmont, United States: Wadsworth.

Seiter, R.P. (2011). Corrections: An Introduction (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, United States: Pearson Education.

DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.F1225.0986S319

Snyman, C.R. (1989). Criminal Law. Durban, South Africa: Butterworths.

Snyman, C.R. (1991). Criminal Law (2nd ed.). Durban, South Africa: Butterworths.

South Africa. (1977). Criminal Procedure Act, No. 51 of 1977. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

South Africa. (1996). Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

South Africa. (1997). Criminal Law Amendment Act, No. 105 of 1997. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

South Africa. (1998). Correctional Services Act, No. 111 of 1998. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

South African Law Commission (SALC). (2000). Project 82 Report: A New Sentencing Framework. Pretoria, South Africa: SALC.

Study.com. (2016). Prison violence: Types, causes & statistics. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/prison-violence-types-causes-statistics.html

DOI: 10.2307/2393788

Terblanche, S.S. (2003). Sentencing guidelines for South Africa: Lessons from elsewhere. South African Law Journal, 120(4), 858–882

DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00284