刑罚

Imposing sentences 判刑

Correctional offence 改造方法

Reform offenders 改造罪犯

Stiff sentence 改造方法

Deterrent effect 震慑作用

Prospective offenders 潜在的罪犯

Habitual offenders 惯犯

Minor crimes

Vocational training

First-time offenders

Reintegrate into society

Rehabilitation programmes

Imposing sentences is widely accepted as amethod to punish those who commit serious offences and sometimes as acorrectional method. This approach may be effective, but we should also considerother ways to reform offenders.

The prison sentence may have a deterrenteffect on either prospective offenders or habitual offenders. Imprisonmentmeans that those who violate laws will lose freedom, a consequence that norational person is willing to take. The criminal record can have a lastingimpact on their lives including their career. They will not commit crimes whenthey run out of money; instead, they will choose to find work or run a smallbusiness to earn a living. This can help create a peaceful and safe community.

While I agree that a long prison term maysometimes help us fight crime, we can consider community service as analternative. These services can make some offenders, especially those whocommitted minor crimes, law-abiding citizens, who can learn responsibility andrealise the damage caused by crimes to innocent people. If they are sentencedto prison, they will possibly make friends with other offenders. They willrepent or take stock of their lives, so they may reoffend after being released,which can pose a threat to other members of society.

We can also provide educationalopportunities and vocational training for them, improving their interpersonalskills and job skills. It is worth noting that many juvenile offenders orfirst-time offenders broke the law because of a lack of social experience orlow socio-economic status. Crime is no longer an option, if they can find workand understand legal responsibilities. The prison can isolate criminals fromsociety, shattering their confidence in finding work and reintegrating intosociety.

Overall, I agree that the harsh penalty candeter crime, but it is not the best approach. Through other rehabilitation programmes,we can build a happy and stable society

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