A small group of repeat offenders commits a large number of serious crimes, making some psychologists believe these individuals are irrational and not capable of fearing punishment.
Fear of punishment may not deter individuals who are members of the underclass and cut off from society and its resources.
Some individuals' greed for the benefits of crime causes them to be immune to deterrents.
Because the U.S. criminal justice system does not dispense justice with consistency or speed, many don't believe they will be punished severely it they commit a crime.