Never even could understand punishment.
Some sort of mixture of deterrence and vengeance.
If I am wronged, I want blood. But, I realize that that
is NOT how society should operate, rather a bit of barbarism
which was necessary before man made laws.
Society should have no such emotions.
Now, as to a deterrent effect, I'm not at all
convinced that these are effective. 'Tis impossible
to judge WHAT is a deterrent on a particular insane
(and yes, I see violence as insanity) mind. For example,
the fact that I might get shot down by cops was always
the attractive part of going on a shooting spree. And
Manson was rather relieved to be going back to his prison
home, at times.