desert principle

desert principle

English

Etymology

From desert (“a just punishment or reward”).

Proper noun

the desert principle

1. The concept that offenders should be punished according to how blameworthy they are.
   • 1980, Martin D. Schwartz, ‎Todd R. Clear, ‎Lawrence F. Travis, Corrections, an Issues Approach (page 113)

     In that sense, the model represents a compromise: the basic structure of the penalty system is shaped by the desert principle, but crime-control considerations are given some scope in the choice of the individual offender's sentence.

   • 1984, The Prison Overcrowding Crisis (page 102)

     Bedau contends that the desert principle has no mode of measurement to determine the degree of harm implicated by […]

   • 1985, Robert Melvin Carter, ‎Daniel Glaser, ‎Leslie T. Wilkins, Correctional Institutions (page 333)

     The desert principle is clearly unrelated to the demands of social control, rehabilitation, or reintegration.