Final answer:
Cesare Beccaria believed that history demonstrates that capital punishment does not effectively deter determined criminals, which is true. He proposed that consistent and proportional punishment, instead of severity, acts as a more effective deterrent. Over time, the justice system has evolved to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation instead of just punishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Cesare Beccaria believed that history shows that capital punishment fails to deter determined criminals is True. Beccaria, an 18th-century philosopher, is well-known in the field of criminology for arguing that the certainty of punishment, rather than its severity, is what actually deters crime. This philosophy suggests that increasing the severity of punishments, such as using the death penalty, does not effectively prevent determined individuals from committing crimes. Instead, Beccaria advocated for consistent and proportional punishments to create an effective deterrent.
Moreover, the use of capital punishment and its role in the justice system is a subject of continued debate. Critics argue that despite the use of the death penalty, crimes that are punishable by it still occur, indicating that it may not serve the intended purpose of deterrence.
Additionally, the justice system has evolved over time, with reforms being made to move away from barbarous practices of the past, aiming to create a system focused on rehabilitation and fair treatment of inmates. The understanding of crime and punishment has thus shifted from a purely punitive approach to one that considers the justice system's role in rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals into society.