Crime and Punishment
Justice
What is meant by justice?
What types of punishment are used, either in the UK or in other parts of the World?
Describe the aims of punishment:
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Jesus’ views on Punishment:
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her
stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of
committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do
you say?’ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone
among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down
and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the
elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and
said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And
Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’
Did Jesus agree with what the woman had done?
What does this tell us about Jesus’ views on punishment?
Who should judge others?
Jesus said: Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to
the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your
eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
What does this tell us about those who are in positions to punish others?
Types of Punishment
Famously the Bible says ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’
What does this tell us about the type of punishment that should be used?
Imprisonment
This is the most common form of punishment used in the UK and Western World.
What is the current UK prison population?
What is the current USA prison population?
Extension
Who was Elizabeth Fry? Find a picture. What did she try to do?