Blomberg and Karol Lucken, is am informative and remarkable book, in that it discusses contemporary issues in the correctional system, and also provides interesting facts of its history and possible future. One thing that I found of particular interest, was the description of the transition (or shift) of punishment through the history of the United States. In this reaction paper, I'll cover Chapters 2, 3 and 7 and will discuss criminal punishment in terms of its purpose and the methods that have been deemed appropriate during the course of American history. .
Chapter 2: Public Punishment in Colonial America (1600-1790).
I was somewhat uncomfortable reading Chapter 2, because laws regarding criminals during the Colonial period were heavily influenced by religion. The early colonists did not perceive crime to be a social problem; instead, they considered crime to be "a predictable consequence of a fallen world and active forces of the devil." (Blomberg &Lucken;, 2011, p.14). For example, an offense against God was considered to be a crime against society, and a crime against society was considered to be an offense against God. Moreover, people who violated a religious law, such as failing to attend church or failing to pray on the Sabbath, were heavily punished. As an atheist, I found this to be very unreasonable. Although I do not have anything against religion, it was quite disturbing to feel that people like me, who do not believe in God, would have been punished based on their religious views.
Another thing that caught my interest was methods of punishment. Public whipping, mutilation banishment were some of the most prevalent methods of punishment during this time period, most of which would be considered inhumane violation of human rights in the 21st century. Furthermore, the purpose of punishment in Colonial America was for retribution; they considered punishment of crime to be necessary, whether or not it was effective, because it was morally right and deserved.