desert principle

From desert (“a just punishment or reward”).

the desert principle

1. The concept that offenders should be punished according to how blameworthy they are.
   • 1980, Martin D. Schwartz, ‎Todd R. Clear, ‎Lawrence F. Travis, Corrections, an Issues Approach (page 113)

     In that sense, the model represents a compromise: the basic structure of the penalty system is shaped by the desert principle, but crime-control considerations are given some scope in the choice of the individual offender's sentence.

   • 1984, The Prison Overcrowding Crisis (page 102)

     Bedau contends that the desert principle has no mode of measurement to determine the degree of harm implicated by […]

   • 1985, Robert Melvin Carter, ‎Daniel Glaser, ‎Leslie T. Wilkins, Correctional Institutions (page 333)

     The desert principle is clearly unrelated to the demands of social control, rehabilitation, or reintegration.