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Please also note that the author of this document will not be responsible for any plagiarism you
commit.
Case Study: Mr X
Mr X, a 26-year-old man from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has been in and out of correctional facilities
since he was 17 years old. Growing up in a community with high unemployment and gang activities,
he was exposed to crime from a young age. At 17, he was convicted of housebreaking and sentenced
to two years in prison. Upon release, he struggled to reintegrate into society due to a lack of education
and skills, leading to further criminal activities. Recently, Mr X was arrested again for armed robbery
and sentenced to 10 years in Kirkwood Correctional Centre. His case raises important questions about
deterrence, punishment, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.
Question 1
1. Compare the concepts of general and specific deterrence in Mr X’s case, and justify the
deterrence that you think would apply in Mr X.
The case of Mr X, a 26-year-old man from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, presents a compelling
illustration of the complexities involved in crime prevention and punishment. Having been in and out
of correctional facilities since the age of 17, Mr X's journey highlights the recurring challenge of
recidivism and the potential inadequacies of the deterrence model. Deterrence, both general and
specific, is a key principle in criminal justice aimed at preventing crime. This discussion will
compare and contrast the concepts of general and specific deterrence in the context of Mr X's
criminal history and analyse which type of deterrence may be more applicable to his circumstances,
drawing on criminological theory and the case study.
General Deterrence and Mr X
General deterrence is based on the principle that the punishment of one offender can serve as a
warning to others in society. The idea is to instil fear of similar consequences among potential
offenders who might otherwise engage in criminal activity (Caldwell, 1996). As an English judge
famously noted, "Men are not hanged for stealing horses, but that horses may not be stolen"—a clear
articulation of the philosophy behind general deterrence.
In Mr X's case, the 10-year sentence for armed robbery at Kirkwood Correctional Centre could
function as a general deterrent for others in Mthatha, particularly those exposed to similar
socio-economic hardships and gang-related pressures. The visibility of such a severe sentence may
dissuade individuals from committing comparable offences due to the perceived cost of incarceration
(Cilliers, 2013). If the community is aware of Mr X’s punishment, it might strengthen their moral
rejection of armed robbery and reinforce the rule of law.
General deterrence also has a broader moral and educational dimension. Caldwell (1996) argues that
the imposition of punishment can have a constructive influence on society by reaffirming societal
norms and reinforcing a collective sense of morality. For a community plagued by high crime rates,
general deterrence could potentially help strengthen societal expectations and discourage criminal
conduct. However, the success of general deterrence depends on the certainty and publicity of
punishment (Newburn, 2017). If potential offenders are unaware of the consequences or doubt the
likelihood of being caught, general deterrence loses its power.
Please also note that the author of this document will not be responsible for any plagiarism you
commit.
Case Study: Mr X
Mr X, a 26-year-old man from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has been in and out of correctional facilities
since he was 17 years old. Growing up in a community with high unemployment and gang activities,
he was exposed to crime from a young age. At 17, he was convicted of housebreaking and sentenced
to two years in prison. Upon release, he struggled to reintegrate into society due to a lack of education
and skills, leading to further criminal activities. Recently, Mr X was arrested again for armed robbery
and sentenced to 10 years in Kirkwood Correctional Centre. His case raises important questions about
deterrence, punishment, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.
Question 1
1. Compare the concepts of general and specific deterrence in Mr X’s case, and justify the
deterrence that you think would apply in Mr X.
The case of Mr X, a 26-year-old man from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, presents a compelling
illustration of the complexities involved in crime prevention and punishment. Having been in and out
of correctional facilities since the age of 17, Mr X's journey highlights the recurring challenge of
recidivism and the potential inadequacies of the deterrence model. Deterrence, both general and
specific, is a key principle in criminal justice aimed at preventing crime. This discussion will
compare and contrast the concepts of general and specific deterrence in the context of Mr X's
criminal history and analyse which type of deterrence may be more applicable to his circumstances,
drawing on criminological theory and the case study.
General Deterrence and Mr X
General deterrence is based on the principle that the punishment of one offender can serve as a
warning to others in society. The idea is to instil fear of similar consequences among potential
offenders who might otherwise engage in criminal activity (Caldwell, 1996). As an English judge
famously noted, "Men are not hanged for stealing horses, but that horses may not be stolen"—a clear
articulation of the philosophy behind general deterrence.
In Mr X's case, the 10-year sentence for armed robbery at Kirkwood Correctional Centre could
function as a general deterrent for others in Mthatha, particularly those exposed to similar
socio-economic hardships and gang-related pressures. The visibility of such a severe sentence may
dissuade individuals from committing comparable offences due to the perceived cost of incarceration
(Cilliers, 2013). If the community is aware of Mr X’s punishment, it might strengthen their moral
rejection of armed robbery and reinforce the rule of law.
General deterrence also has a broader moral and educational dimension. Caldwell (1996) argues that
the imposition of punishment can have a constructive influence on society by reaffirming societal
norms and reinforcing a collective sense of morality. For a community plagued by high crime rates,
general deterrence could potentially help strengthen societal expectations and discourage criminal
conduct. However, the success of general deterrence depends on the certainty and publicity of
punishment (Newburn, 2017). If potential offenders are unaware of the consequences or doubt the
likelihood of being caught, general deterrence loses its power.
