he basis on which advocates or abolitionists have grounded their arguments. It would be safe to assume that both sides have varying definitions for the term "deterrence" and the manner in which they utilize that definition to their advantage. Gertrude Ezorsky offers a dichotomous definition of deterrence that is useful in make sense of the meanings behind the arguments. Ezorsky makes a distinction between the effects of a threat of a punishment and the effects of the actual punishment. The threat of punishment is directed to all members of society. It is grounded in the criminal law and is enforced by members of the police, prosecution attorneys, courts, and prisons. There must be a connection between the law and the system of justice for they are to be any sort of control in society. As long as the threat of punishment has a restraining effect in regards to criminal conduct, this is called general deterrence.
             Ezorsky makes three points in her definition of general deterrence. Her first point is the need to take into account the danger of generalization. Distinction must be carefully made in the different types of offenses because they vary in motivation. Any discussion of general pr
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