Why do we punish people who commit crime?
The aims of punishment including retribution, deterrence, reformation and protection, and religious attitudes to the treatment of criminals.
A focused answer on the aims of punishment for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering retribution, deterrence, reformation, protection and religious attitudes.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain the four aims of punishment, namely retribution, deterrence, reformation and protection, and religious attitudes to the treatment of criminals. The exam expects all four aims and a clear religious leaning toward reformation balanced with justice.
The four aims of punishment
These aims can pull in different directions. A long, harsh sentence may achieve retribution and protection but do little for reformation; a rehabilitation programme aims at reformation but may seem too soft to those wanting retribution. Real punishments usually combine several aims at once.
What each aim means
Religious attitudes to the treatment of criminals
Both Christianity and Islam accept that crime deserves justice, so they support retribution (in the sense of fair, proportionate punishment) and protection of the innocent. However, many believers, especially Christians, stress reformation and mercy, believing offenders are made in God's image, can repent and should be given a fresh start, following Jesus' words "go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11). Islam balances firm justice, including set penalties for some crimes, with strong encouragement of repentance, forgiveness and reform. The common theme is treating criminals justly but humanely, with the hope that they can change.
For the exam, be ready to weigh the four aims against one another, since the 12-mark question usually asks which is most important. Reformation appeals to mercy and reduces reoffending, but critics say it can seem to ignore the victim and the seriousness of the crime. Retribution gives the victim a sense of justice but, taken too far, can become revenge, which Jesus rejected ("do not repay evil with evil"). Protection is essential for dangerous offenders but does nothing to change them, and deterrence only works if punishment is certain and visible. Link this dot point to the causes of crime (reformation makes most sense where crime stems from poverty or addiction) and to forgiveness (which sits alongside, not instead of, just punishment). A strong conclusion recognises that real sentences usually combine several aims and judges which should take priority for a given crime.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20172 marksGive two aims of punishment.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Any two of: retribution (the offender pays for the crime), deterrence (putting people off crime), reformation (changing the offender) and protection (keeping society safe). One mark each for two correct, distinct aims. Use the standard terms; no development is needed at this tariff.
AQA 20194 marksExplain why many religious believers support reformation as an aim of punishment. Refer to scripture or another source of religious belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: reformation offers offenders the chance to repent and change, reflecting the belief that anyone can be forgiven and start again, "go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11). Reason two: it follows Jesus' example of mercy and the teaching that people are made in God's image and have worth, so the aim is to restore rather than only punish. Markers reward two distinct, developed reasons plus a source.
AQA 202212 marks"Reformation is the most important aim of punishment." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: reformation reflects mercy and the belief that offenders can repent and change, "go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11), and it reduces reoffending, helping society long term. Arguments against: protection of the public and retribution (justice for victims) may matter more for dangerous or serious crimes, and deterrence prevents future harm. Use terms (retribution, deterrence, reformation, protection, mercy). Reach a justified conclusion weighing reform against justice and public safety.
Related dot points
- The causes of crime, different types of crime, religious attitudes to lawbreakers and to good, evil and suffering.
A focused answer on the causes of crime for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering reasons for crime, types of crime, and religious attitudes to lawbreakers.
- Religious teachings on forgiveness and the treatment of criminals, and attitudes for and against capital punishment in Christianity and Islam.
A focused answer on forgiveness and capital punishment for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering forgiveness, the treatment of criminals and the death penalty debate.
- Key Christian beliefs including incarnation, sin, salvation, grace, atonement and the role of these beliefs in Christian life and worship.
A focused answer on the key beliefs of Christianity for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering incarnation, sin, the Fall, salvation, grace and atonement.
- Christian beliefs about life after death, resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell, and how these beliefs affect how Christians live now.
A focused answer on Christian beliefs about the afterlife for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering resurrection, judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory.
Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)