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Sajjad1994
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The best argument for imprisonment as a response to criminal activity Updated on: 16 Oct 2025, 02:16
Originally posted by Sajjad1994 on 12 Oct 2025, 09:00.
Last edited by Sajjad1994 on 16 Oct 2025, 02:16, edited 1 time in total.
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The best argument for imprisonment as a response to criminal activity is that the offender poses a risk to others through the possibility of continued criminal activity. However, this argument does not hold that terms of imprisonment can never be disproportionately high. Sociologists have a clear stance on the practice of imprisoning criminals to prevent them from reoffending – imprisonment must be proportionally exacting, undertaken solely to prevent future crimes, and never serve as retribution; for example, Malcolm Feeley advocated for the adoption of a sentencing system based entirely on statistical formulation of the likelihood that the perpetrator will re-offend. Feeley argued that if the sentence were any longer, the risks (including curtailing individual freedoms) would exceed the benefits (including deterring others from committing similar offenses).
Which of the following best characterizes the function of the highlighted portion of the passage?

A. It implies that a particular approach is not as beneficial as is believed.

B. It reiterates a point that the passage made earlier.

C. It presents evidence that is foundational to a particular theory.

D. It cites a specific manifestation of a general principle.

E. It summarizes a defense that the author of the passage rejects.



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Question # 13 | Date: 12 October 2025
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The best argument for imprisonment as a response to criminal activity 14 Oct 2025, 01:31
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Explanation

The passage says:

  • The best argument for imprisonment is preventing future crimes by dangerous offenders.
  • But imprisonment shouldn’t be disproportionately high.
  • Sociologists say imprisonment must be proportional, solely to prevent future crimes, not retribution.

Then it gives the example: Malcolm Feeley advocated for a sentencing system based entirely on statistical likelihood of re-offending.

The quote is an example of the general principle just stated: imprisonment should be based only on future risk, not on retribution.

That means the quoted portion is a specific instance of the general principle.

Looking at the options:

A. No, the passage isn’t criticizing Feeley’s idea here.

B. Not exactly; it’s illustrating, not repeating.

C. Feeley’s idea isn’t presented as foundational evidence for the general principle; it’s an application.

D. Yes, exactly. The principle is “imprisonment only to prevent future crimes, proportionally,” and Feeley’s model is a concrete version of that.
E. “Summarizes a defense that the author rejects”. The author doesn’t reject it here.

Correct answer: D