Which of the following is not recognized as a purpose of punishment?

• A. Deterrence
• B. Rehabilitation
• C. Punitive vengeance
• D. Incapacitation

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is the stated aims of punishment in a modern criminal justice framework. Punishment is designed to deter crime, either by discouraging others (general deterrence) or the offender themselves (specific deterrence); to incapacitate dangerous individuals so they cannot offend again; and to rehabilitate offenders so they can return to society as law‑abiding members. Those are the recognized purposes because they focus on public safety, reform, and proportional justice.

Punitive vengeance, by contrast, is driven by personal retaliation or a desire for revenge rather than structured policy goals. It does not contribute to deterrence in a formal sense, it may violate due process and human rights, and it does not inherently aim to reform the offender or protect the public in the long run. Therefore it is not recognized as a legitimate purpose of punishment within the justice system.

So the option that is not recognized as a purpose of punishment is punitive vengeance.