Increases in the prison population have challenged Durkheim's stability of punishment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Durkheim's theory suggests that punishment serves a social function by reinforcing societal norms and maintaining social solidarity. However, increases in the prison population, particularly in contexts where it is due to policies rather than direct increases in crime, challenge this notion by suggesting that punishment may become destabilizing, undermining social cohesion and trust in the justice system rather than reinforcing societal norms.

Increases in the Prison Population Have Challenged Durkheim's Stability of Punishment