Today, several individuals argue that prisoners ought to be given a prolonged jail sentence in a bid to reduce crime while the other believe there are alternatives to combat this. This essay will delve into both views and give opinions on each.
On the one hand, many people reckon that longer imprisonment is a rigorous, yet necessary measure in lowering criminal rate. This is because perpetrators after committing an evil crime must receive a punishment justified to the level of severity. Furthermore, proponents of this are convinced that an extended period separated from the civil world might act as a deterrence so that the incentive to perpetrating similar deeds could be dampened considerably. For example, when a person sees a culprit apprehended and given a half-a-lifetime sentence in jail, his intention to follow such steps will be somehow undermined. This is why an extension in prison is deemed to be a drastic approach.
On the other hand, numerous opponents argue that there must be better, and possibly, more humanitarian alternatives on the accounts that being deprived of total freedom appears to be so harsh a measure. In legal terms, that the culprit committed a crime must be taken into consideration by laws for the justice to the victims. However, are there many of us considering the ulterior motive prior to pouring scornful words on such deeds? Criminals, for example, could have been consigned to an irreversible circumstance that killing others for the sake of themselves turned out to be the only solution. Hence, rather than subjectively extending imprisonment period without a mercy, legislative system should contemplate the case in a multifaceted dimension. Criminals could be given a chance to contribute their time and effort to agricultural practices, community service,… as a way to seek redemption and forgiveness for their acts.
Put simply, none of both views seem to be the most perfect solution, as each of the legislative decision must be taken into deliberation to make room for justice. Although punishment is a compulsory measure, there are always better options besides locking one’s freedom within the four cement walls.