I found this in another thread listing quotes:
Is there any evidence that shows retributive societies have more cases of blindness due to negligence or criminality than utilitarian or rehabilitative societies?
There are a variety of studies that show that deterrence doesn’t work in terms of preventing crime, so the foundation of “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” is bankrupt aside from raw retribution. So, it boils down to whether retribution for retribution’s sake is a worthwhile concept. I will say that there does seem to be an inverse relationship between countries where retributive justice is practiced and quality of life in those countries. Whether this is an artifact or not, I can’t say.
Read “On Ghandi” by Orwell. It’s hilarious.