Crime prevention is a major concern for many governments, who wants to be able to offer their citizens a safe and pleasant life. However, preventing crime is a problematic and complicated task. Whilst both improving conditions and punishment can be effective deterrents, showing that crimes are punishable is still the most effective deterrent to date.This essay will argue this point by exploring why individuals from both favorable and less favorable environments commit crime, and outgoing how a punishment-free society may negatively affect the crime rate.