legend whatever no currently in use
We punish criminals for reasons of revenge; protection of our society; reforming the criminal; or deterring others.
Sexual abuse of a child is an act of violence and should be abhorred. However hanging and or castration are also acts of violence, to me also abhorrent. I consider all acts of violence should be avoided, so I would never condone responding to violence with violence. Although I have been known to be verbally aggressive.
To me protection and reforming are the most important issues, personally I really doubt the value of deterrent, I think we act the way we do because of our own moral guide or deontic logic not because if we were caught etc. So I think those who are a risk to society should be made safe through prison. I think we should virtually empty the prisons of most prisoners and only hold the violent ones and for some that will be for the rest of their life.
Revenge. well I think this is the least civilized response and one, we should work on to avoid. In my opinion, only those personally affected such as the victim have any right, if even they do.
I have got loads more to say but have to go know, will carry on later