PEN2601
Assignment 2
Semester 1 Memo |
Due 24 April 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
,PEN2601 Assignment 2 Semester 1 Memo | Due 24 April 2025. All questions
fully answered.
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.
In Mr X's case, we can apply and compare the concepts of general deterrence and specific
deterrence to understand the role of punishment in discouraging criminal behavior.
🔹 General Deterrence
General deterrence aims to discourage the broader public from engaging in criminal behavior
by making an example out of offenders like Mr X. The idea is that when people see the
consequences (like a 10-year sentence for armed robbery), they will be discouraged from
committing similar crimes out of fear of facing the same punishment.
Application to Mr X’s case:
Mr X’s sentencing could be intended to serve as a warning to others in his community,
especially the youth who might be tempted to engage in crime due to poverty, gang
pressure, or lack of opportunities.
The justice system might hope that his punishment sends a message: “Crime doesn’t
pay—look at what happened to Mr X.”
🔹 Specific Deterrence
, Specific deterrence is aimed at the individual offender, intending to prevent that person from
committing future crimes by imposing a punishment severe enough to outweigh the perceived
benefits of criminal behavior.
Application to Mr X’s case:
Mr X has already served a previous sentence (2 years for housebreaking at 17), but that
punishment did not stop him from reoffending.
His current 10-year sentence for armed robbery is a much harsher punishment, potentially
meant to "teach him a lesson" and break the cycle of reoffending.
✅ Which Deterrence Applies More to Mr X?
Specific deterrence is more directly relevant in Mr X’s case, but it has not been effective so
far. His criminal behavior persisted even after earlier punishment. This suggests that simply
punishing him (without rehabilitation or support) doesn’t deter him from future crimes.
However, general deterrence may still be relevant for others watching Mr X's case unfold,
especially younger people who might see his trajectory and decide to make different choices.
🧠 Conclusion:
While both forms of deterrence are at play, specific deterrence is more applicable to Mr X
personally. But since it has failed to prevent his reoffending, this highlights the limits of
punishment alone and suggests a stronger focus is needed on rehabilitation, education, and
reintegration support if we want to break the cycle of crime.
General Deterrence:
Definition:
General deterrence aims to discourage the general public from committing crimes by making an
example of the punishment given to offenders. The idea is that seeing others punished will
discourage people from engaging in similar unlawful behaviour.
Application in Mr X’s case:
Mr X’s 10-year sentence for armed robbery can be seen as a tool of general deterrence. The
harsh sentence sends a message to others in his community—particularly young people involved
Assignment 2
Semester 1 Memo |
Due 24 April 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
,PEN2601 Assignment 2 Semester 1 Memo | Due 24 April 2025. All questions
fully answered.
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.
In Mr X's case, we can apply and compare the concepts of general deterrence and specific
deterrence to understand the role of punishment in discouraging criminal behavior.
🔹 General Deterrence
General deterrence aims to discourage the broader public from engaging in criminal behavior
by making an example out of offenders like Mr X. The idea is that when people see the
consequences (like a 10-year sentence for armed robbery), they will be discouraged from
committing similar crimes out of fear of facing the same punishment.
Application to Mr X’s case:
Mr X’s sentencing could be intended to serve as a warning to others in his community,
especially the youth who might be tempted to engage in crime due to poverty, gang
pressure, or lack of opportunities.
The justice system might hope that his punishment sends a message: “Crime doesn’t
pay—look at what happened to Mr X.”
🔹 Specific Deterrence
, Specific deterrence is aimed at the individual offender, intending to prevent that person from
committing future crimes by imposing a punishment severe enough to outweigh the perceived
benefits of criminal behavior.
Application to Mr X’s case:
Mr X has already served a previous sentence (2 years for housebreaking at 17), but that
punishment did not stop him from reoffending.
His current 10-year sentence for armed robbery is a much harsher punishment, potentially
meant to "teach him a lesson" and break the cycle of reoffending.
✅ Which Deterrence Applies More to Mr X?
Specific deterrence is more directly relevant in Mr X’s case, but it has not been effective so
far. His criminal behavior persisted even after earlier punishment. This suggests that simply
punishing him (without rehabilitation or support) doesn’t deter him from future crimes.
However, general deterrence may still be relevant for others watching Mr X's case unfold,
especially younger people who might see his trajectory and decide to make different choices.
🧠 Conclusion:
While both forms of deterrence are at play, specific deterrence is more applicable to Mr X
personally. But since it has failed to prevent his reoffending, this highlights the limits of
punishment alone and suggests a stronger focus is needed on rehabilitation, education, and
reintegration support if we want to break the cycle of crime.
General Deterrence:
Definition:
General deterrence aims to discourage the general public from committing crimes by making an
example of the punishment given to offenders. The idea is that seeing others punished will
discourage people from engaging in similar unlawful behaviour.
Application in Mr X’s case:
Mr X’s 10-year sentence for armed robbery can be seen as a tool of general deterrence. The
harsh sentence sends a message to others in his community—particularly young people involved
