Which goal of the criminal justice system seeks to prevent a criminal from causing future harm to society?

Which goal of the criminal justice system seeks to prevent a criminal from causing future harm to society?

• A. Deterrence
• B. Rehabilitation
• C. Incapacitation
• D. Due Process

Answer: (C)

Incapacitation is the goal that aims to prevent a criminal from causing future harm by removing their ability to commit offenses, usually through imprisonment or other forms of restriction. By keeping the offender confined or supervised, the immediate risk they pose in society is reduced. This differs from deterrence, which tries to discourage crime by making the consequences clear to others; rehabilitation, which seeks to reform the offender so they won’t reoffend; and due process, which ensures fair procedures and rights within the legal system rather than directly preventing future harm.

Incapacitation is the goal that aims to prevent a criminal from causing future harm by removing their ability to commit offenses, usually through imprisonment or other forms of restriction. By keeping the offender confined or supervised, the immediate risk they pose in society is reduced. This differs from deterrence, which tries to discourage crime by making the consequences clear to others; rehabilitation, which seeks to reform the offender so they won’t reoffend; and due process, which ensures fair procedures and rights within the legal system rather than directly preventing future harm.