Band 6+: Studies show that many criminals have a low level of education. For this reason, people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate people in prison so they can get a job when leave prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some individuals argue that there are many criminals with a low level of education and the best way to reduce crime rates is to educate criminals as they would be able to work as soon as they leave prison. While there are several factors contributing to crime such as social problems or inequalities, i strongly agree with this view not least because recidivism rates can be lowered.

One compelling reason why educiton can reduce crime is its almost unparalelled opportunities. Since governments already allocated subsidies for independent businessmen or people in other fields, educated criminals are high likely to start their career and not going to reoffend, thereby reducing both crime and reoffending rates. Take Uzbekistan for example, where criminals are being educated to the point where they are achieving outstanding results. Therefore, providing inmates with education is not only plays a pivotal role in mitigating crime levels but also lowering the incidence of reoffending.

Critics often argue that there are other factors heavily contributing to crimes beyond being uneducated. They claim that burdened by loans, pressured by social inequalities and faced with financial difficulties, most people find themselves compelled to commit a crime. While this argument is reasonable to some extent, it overlooks the fact that be it unemployment or social inequalities, education can adress both as they would be able to secure well-paying jobs. With high living standards, access to social services and adequate incomes, convicts do not reoffend. This is examplified by Nelson Mandela, who stayed in prison for 27 years. While he was in prison, he studied in the university distantly, eventually graduating his major and being the president of Africa. Had it not been for education, he could have reoffend due to poverty. In this context, although fewer factors can be driving force for crime such as poverty or unemployment, i firmly believe that all these problems mentioned above come down to lack of education.

In conclusion, while social issues and poverty can lead to crime, however only by educating and providing inmates with sufficient resources can governments reduce crime rates.