The phrase "harsh punishment" refers to a severe, strict and unforgiving form of discipline or retribution that is intended to deter future misconduct. It typically involves inflicting pain, discomfort or deprivation on someone as a consequence for their wrongdoing in order to teach them a lesson or to serve as a warning to others. The punishment may be physical (such as corporal punishment) or it could involve loss of privileges, fines, imprisonment or other forms of legal sanction. A harsh punishment is intended to be severe enough that the person being punished will think twice before committing the same offense again.