There is a view that longer imprisonment is considered as the most effective way of curbing crime. While stricter punishments help reduce crime to some extent and maintain a sense of security in society, I believe that rehabilitation as well as stable employment can address the root causes of crime more effectively.
A long prison sentence can, in some cases, act as a deterrent for would-be criminals. A criminal might think twice before committing a crime as spending the majority of their lives in a cell in prison seems terrifying. The mere thoughts of being tormented in jails can also stop some from turning to crime. Therefore, implementing longer prison sentences can indeed help reduce crime rate. Meanwhile, there are certain criminals who pose a real threat to society, including murderers, maniacs or rapists. These people should be kept away from other members of society as long as possible to ensure safe community; otherwise the lives of many individuals are put in danger.
Rehabilitation is another viable way of tackling crime. Rehabilitation process involves education, vocational training and therapy –methods that help offenders to live a normal life after being released from prison. To be more specific, some criminals commit a crime unconsciously, meaning the type of mental state they experience can be one reason. Training sessions with a good therapist can bring them back to their ordinary life, developing a healthy attitude and responsible behaviour. Rather than giving long prison sentences, the government should help former offenders to reintegrate into society where they feel a sense of belonging and value. Norway is a pertinent example where criminals undergo rehabilitation which significantly reduces their likelihood of them reoffending later in life.
Equally effective is to provide stable employment opportunities, not a temporary job. When people have a secure job with a stable income, they are less inclined to turn to crime as one reason why people offend is a lack of financial stability, relying on crime as the main source of money. For most people, stable employment is more than a job, meaning they visit their workplace to communicate with their colleagues, to find a purpose in life, spend time meaningfully – the factors that usually keep people busy and prevent them from wrongdoings. In Japan, for example, a job has already become an integral part of the population, and Japanese without stable employment often commit a crime or even a suicide.
In conclusion, although some argue that prolonged prison sentences can eliminate high crime rates, I agree with this idea up to a point since rehabilitation and supportive therapy sessions as well as a secure job can better address this concerning issue.