Question

What are the arguments in favor of the incarceration of white collar offenders?

What are the arguments against the incarceration of white collar offenders?

Answer 1

A.Several arguments that have been made in favour of the incarcerating white collar offender.

High level of intent , calculation and rationality and extended period over which these crimes occurs certainly merit the purely punitive dimesnion of prison. White collars offenders fears the prospect of prison perhaps more than any other sanction, and thus it has a powerful deterrant effect on both convicted and prospective offenders.

B.Several arguments that have been made against incarcerating white collar offenders.
- White collar offenders suffer a greater humiliation through loss of status than conventional offenders, so prison is not necessary.
- It is wasteful to put highly educated and skilled white collar workers in prison.
- White collar offenders are not dangerous in a direct or predatory sense.
- One argument we can't make however is the harm committed by white collar offenders is much less than that of conventional offenders.