ABSTRACT
Deterrence is a future-oriented aim in that the intention behind it is to reduce crime. It could also be seen, therefore, to have a utilitarian rationale. As already mentioned, ‘utility’ would be apparent if a punishment deterred an offender from reoffending or if it discouraged others from offending in the first place. This comment indicates that there are two basic ways in which deterrence can work: either at an individual or at a general level (Cavadino and Dignan 2002). Individual or specific deterrence involves the punishment showing the offender that her/his action was undesirable because it brought her/him more pain than pleasure; so the fear of punishment would prevent the individual from repeating the offence. General deterrence works by showing others who may consider a criminal act that they will suffer painful consequences if they commit the offence.
