California Correctional Lieutenant Practice Exam

Which term describes punishment used as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act?

1. Retribution

2. Deterrence

3. Incapacitation

4. Rehabilitation

The correct answer is: Retribution

The term that describes punishment used as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act is "retribution." In the context of criminal justice, retribution is grounded in the belief that those who commit offenses deserve to be punished. This concept is based on the moral idea that wrongdoing must be addressed by imposing a penalty that reflects the severity of the offense. The aim of retributive punishment is not to prevent further crimes (as in deterrence) or to rehabilitate the offender, but rather to seek justice and balance for the harm done. Retribution is often seen as a response to the moral outrage that arises in society when a crime has been committed. It focuses on the past actions of the offender and insists that punishment should be proportionate to the crime. This approach contrasts with other concepts such as deterrence, which aims to prevent future crime, incapacitation, which seeks to protect society by limiting an offender's ability to commit further crimes, and rehabilitation, which focuses on reforming the offender to reintegrate them into society. Each of these alternatives emphasizes different goals within the criminal justice system, but retribution is distinct in its focus on moral vengeance and justice for past criminal acts.