Specific deterrence is what is done to offenders to prevent them from deciding to commit another offense.
General deterrence is what is done to an offender to prevent others from deciding to engage in wrongful
behavior.
Our right to deter an individual offender is rooted in social contract.
Argument is that punishment doesn’t deter because it is inconsistent, uncertain, and slow.
If one’s goal is purely general deterrence, there does not necessarily need to be an original crime.
The supreme court has ruled that state’s may incarcerate dangerous sex offenders even after they have

served their sentences.
The ruling allows state’s to civilly commit sex offenders for the protection of the local community.
How does this decision go along with deterrence, and is it fair?
It has already been ruled constitutional by the highest court in the land.
The decision weighs the rights of the community to be protected against the rights of a convicted criminal

who has served his sentence.