kɹˈɪmɪnəl pˈɛnəlɾiz kæn biː stˈɪf; wˈʌn ʌvðə bˈeɪsɪk fˈʌŋkʃənz ʌvðə sˈɪstəm ɪz tʊ ʌphˈoʊld ðə pˈaʊɚɹ ʌvðə ɹeɪʒˈiːm.
Criminal penalties can be stiff; one of the basic functions of the system is to uphold the power of the regime.