Specific Deterrence

Reading for class tonight...

“Specific deterrence refers to the idea that punishment reduces the crime of those specific people who are punished… A number of studies have tried to determine whether increasing the severity of punishment reduces crime. Most data suggest that more severe punishments are no more effective at reducing crime than less severe punishments. In fact, some studies suggest that more severe punishments may increase the likelihood of subsequent crime… [Studies] tend to suggest that arrested/convicted people do not have lower rates of subsequent crime [than those not arrested/convicted for similar crimes]. Some studies, in fact, find that the arrested people have higher rates of subsequent crime…” 

—— all this from my textbook!!!

Goes on to say - "punishing people does not reduce their subsequent crime."

Hmmmmmmm......