Punishment has existed since the early colonial period and has continued throughout history as a method used to deter criminals from committing criminal acts. Philosophers believe that punishment is a necessity in today's modern society as it is a worldwide response to crime and violence. Friedrich Nietzche's book “Punishment and Rehabilitation” reiterates that “punishment makes us what we are; it creates in us a sense of responsibility and the ability to assume and release our social obligations” (Blue, Naden, 2001). Immanuel Kant believes that if an individual commits a crime, then that individual should be given punishment for the crime committed. Cesare Beccaria also believes that if there is a violation of the law by individuals, then that individual should be punished accordingly. According to David Garland, punishment is a legal process in which violators of criminal law are convicted and sanctioned with specified legal categories and procedures. (Ghirlanda, 1990). There are different forms and types of punishment administered for various reasons and it can be temporary or permanent. Punishment can originate as a cause from parents or teachers with misbehaving children, in the workplace, or from the justice system where crimes against the law are committed. The main purpose of punishment is to demonstrate to the public, the victim and the offender that justice must be done, reduce criminal activities and deter people from wanting to commit any form of crime against the law. In other words it is a tool used to eliminate evil from society or to dissuade people from committing criminal activities. Theories of punishment indicate that criminals and offenders are pr...... middle of paper...... Miethe, T., Lu, H. (2005), Punishment: a comparative historical perspective. Cambridge University Press Reid, S., (2000). Crime and Criminology, 9th Edition. McGraw Hill Publishers. USA Siegel, L. (2008). Essentials of criminal justice. 6th edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.Georgia, USA.White, J. (2000). Contemporary moral problems. 9th edition. Cengage Learning Inc. USAOfficial ArticleShichor, D. Following the Penological Pendulum: The Survival of Rehabilitation. FederalProbation, 00149128, Jun92, vol. 56, number 2 Websites Chappels J., (2010). Death Penalty Information Center Issues, 2010 Report.www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/deterrence-states-without-death-penalty. Retrieved February 16, 2011 Christianson, S. (2010). Contradictions on the death penalty. www.standown.typepad.com/weblog/../death-penality-contradictions.html