In contemporary society, the topic of reducing crime rates has attracted considerable attention. While some people argue that extending prison sentences is the best option, others hold the belief that other ways to address this issue are present. This essay will discuss both viewpoints before explaining why I personally support finding other options.
On one hand, the supporters of extended imprisonment argue that this will prevent criminals from committing more crimes. That is to say that most criminals lose all their relationships and struggle to earn money, which leaves them only one option: to commit crimes again. For example, most criminals do not want to struggle to live alone and just commit another crime to have shelter and daily meals, and that is why we should extend prison sentences to decrease this rate. There are, however, some drawbacks present, too. For example, some individuals may not be guilty, and imprisoning them for a long period is unfair. Accordingly, extending prison sentences may bring some benefits in reducing the crime rate, but in fact, this will further increase this progression.
The supporters of using another effective way to solve this issue argue that one possible way is to find them a job after leaving prison. That is because they could earn for themselves, and there will not be a need for committing crimes. In Japan, for instance, after imprisonment, their government gives them an opportunity to work, and they will provide a salary for them for around half a year after release to find work and start their new life. An additional reason for my stance is that placing more cameras in regions with high crime rates can better address the problem. In other words, criminals are afraid of cameras as they can be caught quickly because of them. For instance, in my city, the government provided fully functional cameras in most regions, and the crime rate has been gradually decreasing over time. Hence, effective ways like cameras and providing work opportunities can better address the issue.
In conclusion, while extended prison sentences can be beneficial, there are some drawbacks, and that is why I personally support finding better ways to achieve higher results.