Many people believe the punishment of a crime should not be viewed as a penalty the criminal deserves; it should be understood as rehabilitation that works to cure the criminal. These people believe this way is more humane and will keep people from being treated unjustly. However, it is essential to remember that if you remove the idea of penalty from a corrective action, you also remove the possibility of justice. In treating criminals as patients, any treatment can be justified, as long as necessary, in the name of a cure, provided it is done with the “best interest” of the offender in mind.
Another belief is that this theory tends to be more merciful, but in reality, just as it destroys the concept of justice, it also destroys the possibility of mercy. If a just penalty was deserved, then an actual pardon could be given, but if we view the criminal as ill, it would never be merciful to withhold treatment.
The following quote by C.S. Lewis also shows how quickly this theory can spiral downward. “If crimes are diseases, why should diseases be treated any differently from crimes? And who but the experts can define disease? One school of psychology regards my religion as a neurosis. If this neurosis ever becomes inconvenient to the Government, what is to prevent my being subjected to a compulsory ‘cure’? It may be painful; treatments sometimes are. But it will be no use asking, ‘What have I done to deserve this?’ The Straightener will reply: ‘But, my dear fellow, no one’s blaming you. We no longer believe in retributive justice. We’re healing you.”
Secular ideas like this rarely stay in the political realm. They either originate from bad theology or find their way there. In denying a just penalty for a crime, most people will also deny a just penalty for sin, thus denying the gospel. Jesus was our substitute. On the cross, he bore the just penalty for our sins, the wrath of God. Yes, it is true that he also heals us, but the healing of our sin-sick soul is not the basis of our salvation. The atoning work of Christ on the cross is the root, and our new life in Christ is the fruit. Since our Father is a just God, our sanctification would not be possible had our penalty not been satisfied.
In reconsidering the approach to criminal justice as solely rehabilitative, we risk forsaking the foundational principles of justice and mercy, as highlighted by C.S. Lewis, and, more importantly, in the eternal truth of redemption through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5
-D. Eaton
The Fight of Faith 