Cesare Beccaria, a Classical School scholar, opposed which practice?

• A. Prison sentences
• B. Rehabilitation programs
• C. Capital punishment
• D. Mandatory sentencing

Answer: (C)

Cesare Beccaria, a prominent figure in the Classical School of criminology, opposed capital punishment on moral and practical grounds. In his influential work "On Crimes and Punishments," Beccaria argued that the death penalty is a violation of the social contract and is ineffective as a deterrent against crime. He emphasized the importance of proportionality in sentencing and believed that punishment should be swift, certain, and commensurate with the offense. By advocating for alternatives to capital punishment, he highlighted the value of human life and the premise that punishment should aim to reform behavior rather than inflict irreversible harm. This approach to justice has had a lasting impact on contemporary legal thought regarding humane treatment and the principles of justice.