Final answer:
The just deserts movement is aligned with the retribution philosophy of corrections, focusing on moral balance through punishment proportionate to the crime, rather than on deterrence or rehabilitation. Debates over the penal system's fairness and effectiveness persist, with critics such as Angela Davis highlighting systemic disparities. Historical and philosophical perspectives emphasize the need for a considerate approach to punishment in a just society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The just deserts movement does indeed reflect the retribution philosophy of corrections within the criminal justice system. This approach to punishment is predicated on the idea that offenders deserve to be punished in proportion to the severity of their crimes, an idea that aligns with the retributive justice theory. Instead of focusing on deterring future crimes or rehabilitating the offender, the just deserts philosophy centers on achieving moral balance by ensuring that the punishment is commensurate with the offense.
In contrast to rehabilitation efforts, which aim to reintegrate offenders into society, or to deterrent strategies that focus on preventing future offenses, the retribution philosophy is primarily concerned with the moral imperative to punish. Furthermore, the debate over punishment and rehabilitation highlights the differing opinions on the fairness and effectiveness of the penal system. Angela Davis, for instance, has long criticized the disparities in the justice system, pointing to the disproportionate impact on nonwhite communities and coining the term prison-industrial complex to describe the interplay between law enforcement and economic incentives.
Historical perspectives, such as those from Plato and the philosophes, suggest that the role of punishment should be carefully considered within the context of a just, harmonious society, implying that harsh, punitive approaches might not align with broader societal goals. The evolution of attitudes towards punishment in the U.S., including the debates over the death penalty and the sentencing of minors, showcases the ongoing struggle to find a balance between punishment and other objectives like rehabilitation and deterrence.