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Officially, it's all of them. From title 18 section 3553 of the US code:

> The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider ...

> (2) the need for the sentence imposed—

> (A) to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;

> (B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct;

> (C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and

> (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner;

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3553



This is surprising to me. In Germany, the constitution (as the highest law) is clear on the issue: punishment is not a goal, only deterrence of also the violator but especially others. I guess it is because the constitution here is quite new, compared to US. Funny tho, as I believe the US played an important role in drafting it.


Officially you are wrong. It is not intended to promote correction or rehabilitation. See §3582(a). Imposition of a sentence of imprisonment....

"recognizing that imprisonment is not an appropriate means of promoting correction and rehabilitation."




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