In the contemporary world, there has been a growing tendency for people, especially from younger generations, to commit crimes. While some people maintain that all lawbreakers should be placed behing the bars, many individuals argue, that there are better alternatives for those whose crimes are minor, such as making them do work for local community. In the following essay I will overview both stances and share my own opinion.
Those who believe that criminals should be imprisoned, regardless of the crime extence, maintain that sending everyone to prison sends a clear, uncompromising message that lawbreaking carries severe consequnces, which discourages potential criminals from violating rules or further repetition of commited crimes. Furthermore, allowing alternatives for minor crimes might be seen as “soft on crimes”, potentially weakening social respect and fear of the law and order.
Conversely, sending everyone to prison might even worsen crime rate, being that minor offenders mingle with hardened criminals, often increasing likelihood of reoffending. Community based punishment keep them away from criminal influences. Additionally, instead of being financial burden on the civil texpayers, criminals provide productive labor that directly benefits local neighborhood they previously harmed.
I firmly believe that a balanced approach is the most effective. While harsher methods provide fear of possible consequnces, second approach offers more help to the injured side. Therefore combining both sources allows people to feel both safe and supported, while having fear to offend the law.