PSS103: Critically discuss why it is important to balance between punishment and deterrence with rehabilitation: Crime, Justice and Punishment TMA Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

Read the following article on armed assaults in Singapore:

Yuen, S. (2021, March 5). AGC will generally reject rehabilitative sentences for adult sex offenders unless there are ‘exceptional facts’. The Straits Times.

Society’s sentiments on crime, punishment, public safety and security, as well as social stigma, must be considered in answering the following questions. In the case of adult sex offenders, Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam’s, asserted that “the need for proportionate punishment and deterrence must take precedence over rehabilitation”.

With reference to the article, additional research materials, and concepts/theories learnt in the course:

(a) Critically discuss why it is important to balance between punishment and deterrence with rehabilitation. Justify with examples.

(b) Identify the issues related to punishment of adult sex offenders. Explain the strengths and limitations of rehabilitating adult sex offenders in the context of public safety and security, and social stigma.