Final answer:
Certainty of punishment, rather than severity, is more effective at deterring crime, as evidenced by research showing that visible policing and detection technologies reduce crime rates. Severe punishments have a complex and less consistent effect on deterring crime, especially for juveniles, where they may increase recidivism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research supports the idea that certainty rather than severity of punishment deters crime. This assertion is backed by evidence indicating that when offenders perceive a high chance of being caught and punished, they are more likely to be deterred from committing crimes. Studies have shown that policies targeting the certainty of punishment, such as visible policing strategies or improvements in detection technologies like body cameras, can contribute to a reduction in crime. In contrast, while severe punishments such as lengthy incarcerations may have some deterrent effect on crime, especially with high-risk offenders, they do not universally prevent it and can be associated with negative outcomes such as increased recidivism among juveniles. Furthermore, policies aimed at increasing the opportunity costs of crime, through early childhood interventions and community programs, have proven to be effective crime deterrents.