Which school of penology is based on the concept of human free-will?

The correct answer is grounded in the foundational principles of the Classical School of penology, which emphasizes the role of human free will in criminal behavior. This school of thought emerged in the 18th century, largely influenced by philosophers such as Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. They argued that individuals have the capacity to make rational choices and that criminals choose to commit crimes based on a cost-benefit analysis.

According to the Classical School, crime occurs when the perceived benefits of committing a crime outweigh the potential costs (such as punishment). Therefore, effective punishment should be proportionate to the crime and serve as a deterrent to others. This belief in free will implies that individuals can be held morally responsible for their actions, as they possess the agency to make decisions.

The Classical School's focus on individual choice contrasts with other schools of thought, such as the Positivist School, which views behavior as influenced by environmental factors and biology, thereby diminishing the emphasis on free will. The Neo-classical approach attempts to incorporate both free will and mitigating circumstances, but it does not prioritize the principle of free will as the Classical School does.