Glossary
Definitions
Crime
An action that breaks the law.
Punishment
Something bad done to somebody as a consequence, usually of breaking the law, like imprisonment.
Corporal punishment
Don't confuse corporal punishment with capital punishment! They are two different things.
The act of physical pain/suffering being inflicted on somebody as punishment.
Death penalty
A form of corporal punishment where a person is killed for their actions. In the UK, it was abolished for murder in 1965 and abolished for treason in 1998.
Synonyms: capital punishment
Main document: Capital Punishment
Hate crime
A crime based on prejudice held by the criminal.
Murder
The act of unlawfully killing somebody. Murder is a crime.
Theft
The act of taking something without the owner's consent. Theft is a crime.
Poverty
Being without easy access to basic needs like food, water or housing. Poverty is a cause of crime.
Mental illness
A medical condition that affects a person's mood or emotions. Mental illness is a cause of crime.
Addiction
Dependence on a substance or activity that is very hard to overcome. Addiction is a cause of crime.
Greed
Wanting to possess excessive things that are not needed, e.g. wealth. Greed is a cause of crime and reason for war.
Evil
The opposite of good. In religion, it is usually used to mean against God or religious teachings.
Christians call evil acts sins.
Buddhists call evil acts unskillful (and good acts skillful).