Many individuals argue that it is important to send offenders to jail, whereas others, including myself, believe that other ways to punish them are available. I will discuss both views in the following paragraphs and give my opinion.
On the one hand, putting lawbreakers into jail is the best way to uphold the law. This means that people who have spent time in prison are more likely to stay away from criminal situations rather than taking part in them. This is because they have already experienced a difficult life in prison and are reluctant to return. So, the fear of losing one’s freedom can discourage people from engaging in unlawful behaviour. Moreover, placing all offenders behind bars ensures public safety, particularly when it comes to violent or repeat offenders.
On the other hand, if authorities make some offenders get involved in community service such as cleaning streets or planting trees, this can prove beneficial to both the government and the criminals themselves. This is because they learn how to become good members of society and the value of teamwork, and the government’s budget can be saved with their free service. Furthermore, offenders who participate in social activities are more likely to gain experience in a certain field and start earning money in a legal way. For example, in some countries including Japan and Turkey prisoners are sent to farm to take care of plants as a part of their punishment. As a result, they become aware of the methods of growing plants and after being released, they could certainly make more effort to become farmers and obtain profit.
In conclusion, both prison and alternative punishments are important. However, it would be a good idea if individuals who break the law were given community service as punishment, as they can appreciate social and financial benefits of legal commitment.