Isn't the concept of punishment aimed more at prevention of the crime in the first place rather than what happens afterwards? "you touch my car, I'll smash your face in."

Some will never understand the idea of cause and effect so will still offend. Some others will weigh up the odds of getting caught and the severity of the subsequent punishment against the immediate gratification of the act. These people will continue to offend if they perceive that there are few police patrols and, if caught, they'll just get a wrap over the knuckles.