>In my opinion, punishment that isn't intended to reform the criminal is done so three rest of us can feel good. I consider it sadism, but can understand if oth

>In my opinion, punishment that isn't intended to reform the criminal is done so three rest of us can feel good. I consider it sadism, but can understand if others object to that term. Punishment is arguably intended first and foremost to be a deterrent to committing crime in the first place, and secondary as a way to take dangerous criminals off the street. Reform of the criminal should probably be considered a bonus, not the primary intention. I think almost no one, aside from direct victims and their families, want punishment purely for punishment's sake (i.e. sadism).