Some argue that the most effective method to combat crime is spending long time behind bars while others advocate alternative ways to tackle this issue. Although the longer imprisonment can considerably affect the crime rate, I personally presume that there are several deeper solutions to solve this problem, including providing proper education and equality in society.
On one hand, spending a large portion of time in a jail can lead to a reduction in the crime rate in two ways. Firstly, incarceration might serve as a strong deterrent for potential offenders. The idea that people have to receive a long prison sentence can discourage them from unlawful practices. For instance, hardened criminals may be obliged to spend more their lifetime in prison cells, being away from their family members and loved ones and losing a wealth of opportunities in the jail. Therefore, individuals try to comply with regulations to not be thrown into a jail. Secondly, serving more incarceration time provides precious time to rehabilitate and reform for criminals. Serving their imprisonment time, prisoners possess valuable time to reflect on their past and reform their thoughts and behaviors, which can lead to a lower likelihood of recidivism, reducing the crime rate. Additionally, numerous social and mental programs can be conducted in prisons, which help individuals to go straight and start a crime-free life. As a result, longer incarceration can promote a significant decline in the crime rate, contributing to a crime-free society.
On the other hand, creating an equitable society and proper education system can effectively lead to crime prevention. First of all, social equality, as a key factor, drives individuals to act within the laws. In a society where people are provided equal opportunities, they are not inclined toward illegal practices. To illustrate, when individuals reside in a country where they can easily afford to meet their basic necessities and pursue their favourite activities, they more likely obey the laws. Hence, socioeconomic equality plays a pivotal role in perpetuating a crime-free country. Additionally, the receiving proper education can be another significant preventive approach to reduce the crime rate. The education plays a crucial role in shaping personal and professional paths in one’s life, and those who receive decent education are more likely follow secure paths that are aligned with social norms and regulations. To cite an example, it has been reported that approximately 75% of offenders in Tehran, in 2020, had not obtained a university degree, representing the importance of education in the offence prevention.
To conclude, there are several ways to encourage individuals to observe the laws. Though the significance of imprisonment cannot be denied, I believe there are other radical methods which address root causes of unlawful practices, creating an equitable society and appropriate education system being the most influential methods.