Celerity refers to what aspect of punishment?

Celerity refers specifically to the swiftness or speed with which punishment is administered following a crime. In the context of criminology, it emphasizes the importance of a prompt response to criminal behavior as a means of deterring future offenses. The rationale behind this concept is that a quicker punishment reinforces the connection between the crime and its consequences, making it more impactful for the offender and society at large.

This concept is foundational in deterrence theory, which posits that for punishment to effectively deter crime, it must be swift, certain, and severe. The other aspects of punishment, such as severity, likelihood, and societal acceptance, do not encapsulate the essence of celerity. Instead, they relate to different facets of the overall criminal justice process and its efficacy in preventing crime.