Recent progress in criminal psychology and elaborate research on criminal behavior has led people to question the effectiveness of standard punishments. Since penalties are applied to deter the criminal act, one naturally begins to challenge their existence if they cease to work.
A few years ago, it was capital punishment. Now it is “Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and rehabilitated?” However, let’s make no mistake; life terms are necessary to remove repeat offenders from society. Yet, others might not deserve such long punishments.
Length of punishment
The severity of the crime is connected to the punishment awarded. It can range from a death sentence to a life sentence to a lengthy jail term. However, a significant portion of society believes that criminals should be put in rehab and community service instead of being locked up in a cell for years.
On the contrary, many believe that criminals, especially those who commit rape and murder, do not deserve this luxury. Nevertheless, concessions can be made for non-aggravated crimes committed during drunkenness, driving accidents, etc. However, once again, this doesn’t include serious or serial offenders.
Trends of crimes
Unfortunately, the global crime rate is on the rise. This calls for the hardening of laws. Thus, many courts give strict sentences to set an example. Even though the punishment may be undeserved, this is why more and more people are demanding that convicted rapists and murderers should be given a death sentence to incite fear among the masses. Severe penalties for grievous crimes like these have previously caused their rates to fall.
Re-education
Advocates of human welfare argue that many crimes are typically a consequence of circumstances. For example, abandoned kids usually end up joining street gangs and drug dealing circles. This eventually leads them to sell drugs, pick fights with rival gangs or become an addict themselves.
Therefore, the best solution is not to isolate these helpless individuals with violent minds in prison but to provide an environment where they can heal old wounds and grow as a person. A right they didn’t avail as a child.
Effect on society
Both attitudes make sense individually. Thus, it is best to understand both and create a hybrid system so that society may progress. However, indeed, it might not be the wisest move to seclude petty criminals with murderers and rapists in jail as they will corrupt their minds further until there is no hope for growth.
Lengthy jail terms or rehab
At the end of the day, it is upon the court to decide on the right decision. The judge must consider the context of the crime, the offender’s criminal history, general background, and the circumstances involving the crime before passing a sentence.
Not only this, the judge should not prejudge based on race or sex, as is a common occurrence in white-majority countries. Since such bigotry only leads to innocents serving a greater term than the actual criminals.
Conclusion
The length of the crimes usually depends on the crime committed. However, recently some lengthy jail terms have attracted criticism over their unfairness.
The people believe that a crime that community service and rehab can prevent should not be avoided by awarding years and years of incarceration. As prolonged prison terms do more harm to the mind than benefit it.