Criminal punishment in terms of values: an axiological problem of the most strict penalization measure

The study examines the relationship between the values of society and criminal punishment as the most strict penalization measure. The author clarifies the concept of values, arguing that value is a representation about the world that definitely resonates in the society and emphasizing that values can be both positive and negative. Holders of the latter are primarily criminals who are penalized by society through the state that imposes the restrictions on a number of their rights and thereby eliminates the negative values. In the author’s opinion, thus, the society defend and protect itself from infringement of positive values, and in this process, criminal punishment as a way of self-defense is indispensable.