What is a common outcome expected from implementing punitive measures?

The expectation of deterrence of future criminal behavior is central to the philosophy behind implementing punitive measures. The rationale is that by imposing penalties for criminal actions, individuals will be discouraged from committing similar offenses in the future due to the fear of facing consequences. This principle operates on the belief that when people perceive a high likelihood of punishment for unlawful actions, they are less likely to engage in such behavior, thus potentially reducing overall crime rates.

On the other hand, while options like increased crime rates or emotional distress among victims could occur in some contexts, they do not reflect the intended outcome of punitive measures. Improvement of prison conditions is also unrelated to the punitive approach, as punitive measures typically focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation or enhancement of living conditions for incarcerated individuals. Thus, the focus on deterrence represents the core objective of punitive measures in the criminal justice system.