Your confusing simple punishment with the concept of Deterrents. Deterrents do have an effect but only to a point, with further escalation beyond that point al

Your confusing simple punishment with the concept of Deterrents. Deterrents do have an effect but only to a point, with further escalation beyond that point also escalating the severity of associated offences. Eg - if you have a death sentence for minor theft then those who are desperate will still steal but instead of giving up peacefully when caught they will murder as many as the need to get away. Deterrents and punishment schemes can most definitely, and many currently do, cause more harms than benefits.