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The medical model versus the just deserts model
1Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study examines the historical influence of two criminal justice models: the medical model focused on rehabilitation and the just deserts model emphasizing retribution. Each approach has shaped societal views on crime and punishment throughout history.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Legal Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Modern perspectives on criminal justice have been significantly shaped by historical models.
- Understanding these models is crucial for analyzing contemporary approaches to crime and punishment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical evolution and influence of two key models in criminal justice.
- To delineate the core tenets of the medical model and the just deserts model.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of influential theories in criminal justice.
- Comparative examination of the medical model and the just deserts model.
Main Results:
- The medical model, emphasizing offender rehabilitation, has historically focused on treatment.
- The just deserts model, centered on retribution, prioritizes punishment proportionate to crime severity.
- Both models have experienced periods of dominance in shaping criminal justice policy.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between rehabilitation and retribution has defined the trajectory of criminal justice.
- Recognizing the historical context of these models is essential for informed policy development.