retribution theory

Retribution theory is a concept in ethics and criminal justice that suggests individuals who commit crimes deserve punishment as a form of moral balance. According to this theory, punishment is justified because it serves to restore justice by ensuring that offenders pay for their wrongdoing. Unlike theories that focus on rehabilitation or deterrence, retribution emphasizes accountability, suggesting that when people break the law, they forfeit their rights to leniency and must face consequences that are proportionate to their actions. It seeks to fulfill society's sense of justice and moral order.