3 ms·

Technically speaking, retribution is a punishment dealt to someone for committing a crime, so any prison sentence is an act of retribution.

• WillDaSilva 6y ago
  I'd argue that if the intention is entirely to rehabilitate (and incapacitate if necessary) then a prison sentence would only incidentally be a punishment.
  • melq 6y ago
    If the intention was to rehabilitate, then they wouldn't have sentenced a non violent offender to 2 life sentences. Giving someone a life sentence means you (or the justice system at large) are either unwilling or unable to rehabilitate that person.
    • WillDaSilva 6y ago
      Don't get me wrong - I don't believe that the US "justice system" is at all concerned with rehabilitation. Giving 2 life sentences to a non violent drug offender is ridiculous.