What is the goal of incapacitation in criminal justice?

The goal of incapacitation in criminal justice is to prevent future offenses by removing offenders from society. This theory is rooted in the belief that by physically restricting an individual's ability to commit crimes—typically through incarceration—society can achieve safety and reduce crime rates. The rationale is that if a person is confined and unable to interact with the community, they cannot engage in criminal behavior, thus protecting potential victims.

Incapacitation focuses primarily on the risk posed by the offender rather than on rehabilitation, punishment, or community service. While those aspects may be part of the broader criminal justice system, the specific aim of incapacitation is to ensure that dangerous individuals are not in a position to hurt others, thereby addressing community safety directly.