Some former prisoners successfully reintegrate into society after serving their sentences. Many people believe that inviting them to share their personal experience with school students is the most effective way to raise awareness of the dangers of criminal behaviour. While I agree that former inmates effectively discourage young people from committing crimes, I do not believe it is the optimal approach.
Former prisoners can play an important role in preventing crimes among adolescents. They can provide real-life experience that make the consequences of crimes more convincing. Unlike theoretical lessons at school, first-hand stories allow students to have a holistic view of the consequences of criminal behaviour/ understand the emotional, social and legal consequences of making impulsive decisions. For example, a former prisoner can explain how imprisonment damaged their education, family relationships, and future career opportunities. As a result, students can appreciate the serious consequences of committing crimes and avoid illegal activities. Moreover, former offenders can help students make informed decisions in their lives. By sharing the lessons that they learnt from their own mistakes, former prisoners can educate young people on how to resolve conflicts effectively. For instance, former inmates share efficient ways that they often practise to control their anger and stay calm when facing serious arguments. Therefore, teenagers can learn how to avoid making mistakes in the future.
However, inviting former prisoners to schools may not be the best approach because such talks can sometimes have unintended negative effects. Some teenagers may misunderstand the message and become curious about criminal behaviour rather than deterred by it. For example, a teenager finds gang activities and risky adventures exciting while overlooking the hardships of imprisonment and the damage caused to the offender’s family and future. As a result, the intended warning could lose its effectiveness. Instead of offering talks by former prisoners, I believe that continuous education of laws, ethics and responsible behaviour should be considered more. Regular lessons allow students to develop moral values and decision-making skills over a long period rather than occasional talks. For instance, schools can organise weekly citizenship education classes that teach students how to resolve conflicts peacefully and respect the law. Hence, young people are more likely to build strong values that discourage criminal behaviour.
In conclusion, although the educational value of former prisoners’ personal experience is undeniable, I assume that it is not the best method to warn of the dangers of committing crimes. In my opinion, continuous education at schools remains a more effective and sustainable solution.