Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Pioneers in Criminology: The Historical Development of Criminology (Links to an external site.) and Evolution of Punishment (Links to an external site.). Additionally, watch 002 History of US Law and What Is the Law? (Links to an external site.)

Western societies have been punishing criminal actors since ancient Greece. This begs the question of whether or not punishment is an effective means of crime control and recidivist reduction. As you explore the balance of freedom versus security and the history of criminal punishment, be willing to think of new ways to address and deter criminal behavior.

Explain the history of punishment and its goals. Your response must detail the origins of punishment, how notions of what is “appropriate” punishment is for a given circumstance over time, and an analysis of the effectiveness of modern punishment methods and schemes. Offer one or two suggestions for improvement to methods of punishment currently in use.

Links

https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2635&context=jclc

https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4793&context=jclc

Your responses must be at least 150 words of content and supported by a minimum of two scholarly and/or credible sources (i.e., classroom materials or reliable, outside sources).

• Support your responses with credible sourcing, either from the required readings this week, or from independent research that you conduct in the Ashford University Library or online.