Crime control refers to methods taken to reduce crime in a society. Penology often focuses on the use of criminal penalties as a means of deterring people from committing crimes and temporarily or permanently incapacitating those who have already committed crimes from re-offending. Crime prevention is also widely implemented in some countries, through government police and, in many cases, private policing methods such as private security and home defense. However, the police or security deployment may not necessarily be the best way to prevent a crime from happening. Crime control refers to methods taken to reduce crime in a society. Penology often focuses on the use of criminal penalties as a means of deterring people from committing crimes and temporarily or permanently incapacitating those who have already committed crimes from re-offending. Crime prevention is also widely implemented in some countries, through government police and, in many cases, private policing methods such as private security and home defense. However, the police or security deployment may not necessarily be the best way to prevent a crime from happening.