LogFAQs > #906396199

I read a pretty good, simply written essay on the topic awhile back that argues in favor of retribution, and I'm inclined to agree with the author. Here it is

http://www.jamesrachels.org/punanddes.pdf

I think the most relevant point he makes against deterrence, in the context of this topic, is that a system focused on deterrence does not care if someone is really guilty or not, but that someone, anyone, is punished for the crime because it's better for an innocent person to be punished than for a crime to go unsolved and people see that it's possible to get away with breaking the law (diminishing the deterrence effect)