行刑的目的与功能新论

A New Discussion on Purpose and Function of Execution

《监狱法》和《社区矫正法》都对行刑的目的做出了规定,理论上也对行刑的目的有相对固定的认识,即行刑的目的在于改造和预防犯罪。这种认识混淆了行刑目的和功能的区别。根据行刑环节在整个刑事诉讼流程中的地位和任务,以及立法上对刑罚的设定,行刑的目的应定位于惩罚,行刑就是将司法确定的刑事责任付诸实践,就是落实这种最严厉的惩罚,而改造和预防犯罪,包括一般预防都不是目的而是行刑所发挥的功能。对行刑目的和功能的重新认识有利于进一步修改《监狱法》,并制定包含《社区矫正法》在内的统一的刑事执行法,也有利于建立统一的矫正学科,促进中国特色社会主义的改造制度不断走向完善。

The Prison Law and the Community Correction Law both stipulate the purpose of execution,and theoretically have a relatively fixed understanding of the purpose of execution,that is,the purpose of execution is to reform and prevent crime.This understanding confuses the distinction between purpose and function of execution.According to the status and tasks of the execution link in the whole process of criminal procedure,as well as the setting of penalties in legislation,the purpose of execution should be positioned as punishment.Punishment,rehabilitation and crime prevention,including general prevention,are not ends but functions of execution.The re-understanding of the purpose and function of execution will help to further revise the The Prison Law and formulate a unified criminal execution law including the the community correction law.It will also help to establish a unified correction discipline and promote the transformation of socialism with Chinese characteristics for constantly improving.