What method is employed to ensure that offenders will not commit future crimes?

Deterrence is the method employed to ensure that offenders will not commit future crimes by discouraging them from re-offending through the fear of punishment. This approach is based on the idea that if individuals believe the consequences of committing a crime are severe enough, they will choose not to engage in criminal behavior. Deterrence can be general, targeting the broader population to discourage crime, or specific, aiming at individuals who have already committed offenses to prevent them from re-offending.

In the context of correctional administration, establishing a clear correlation between criminal behavior and punishment strengthens the deterrence effect. Effective deterrence strategies might include a combination of swift and certain penalties, ensuring that individuals understand the ramifications of their actions. The goal is to maintain public safety by creating an environment where the potential costs of criminal activity outweigh any perceived benefits.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of the criminal justice system. Recidivism refers to the tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to re-offend, and incapacitation involves removing offenders from society to prevent further crimes. Meanwhile, retribution is focused on punishing the offender as a form of societal revenge or moral balance rather than preventing future offenses.