This essay is concerned with looking at the reasons behind punishment in the context of crime, what are the purposes of the punishment and does it have a positive effect on crime levels in society. Crime could be defined as a 'non-conformity' to a set of rules, which are accepted by the majority of people within a society. Here is a dictionary definition of crime below:
Crime
1.An act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which punishment is imposed upon conviction.
2.Unlawful activity: statistics relating to violent crime.
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