Writing Project 1
- First Draft Due
Monday, February 5, 2018
- Length
2-3 Pages
- Revision Due
Monday, February 12, 2018
This week, we’ve begun to ask an important question: what does justice mean? As we explore that question, and especially as we start to think about criminal justice, another question comes right after it: what is the purpose of the criminal justice system? What should happen to people who commit crimes, and why?
In our first Writing Project, I’ll ask you to begin exploring this question.
Your Task
In Hank Green’s video “What Is Justice,” he outlines several different philosophies of justice (listed and briefly defined below). For this Writing Project, please write a 2-3 page paper answering the following question:
Which of Green’s philosophies best fits with what you believe about the purpose of the justice system, and why?
In order to answer this question, you’ll need to do a few things:
- explain and support your own beliefs about the purpose of the justice system
- choose and summarize one of the philosophies of justice Green mentions
- use examples (real or hypothetical) to support your thinking.
Philosophies of Justice
- Retribution: The purpose of the justice system is to make sure people suffer for the crimes they have committed.
- Rehabilitation: The purpose of the justice system is to make sure people who have committed crimes do not do so again.
- Deterrence: The purpose of the justice system is to discourage people from committing crimes.
- Restoration: The purpose of the justice system is to help criminals right the wrongs they have done and make it up to their victims.