RETRIBUTIVISM

retributivism (ri-trib-y[schwa]-t[schwa]-viz-[schwa]m). The legal theory by which criminal punishment is justified, as long as the offender is morally accountable, regardless of whether deterrence or other good consequences would result. • According to retributivism, a criminal is thought to have a debt to pay to society, which is paid by punishment. The punishment is also sometimes […]