Punished, Broken And Forgiven

When someone is tagged a criminal, it is because an offense has been committed, investigations made and evidences proved beyond every reasonable doubt that an offense was committed hence the reason for punishment. Another thing that is considered is the degree of the offense. Whether the individual is a first time offender, etc. However, the bone of contention here is whether the individual is to be punished or rehabilitated and sent back to society.

Susan-G92

I think it is a two way thing and also a matter of the level of offense committed. If the offense is a big one, like kidnapping, murder, and all sorts of high degree offenses, it might be difficult to just punish and release the individual back to society. On the other hand, if it is offense that does not cause bodily harm or deafening, the individual after serving their terms are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society to continue living.

So, which one is beneficial to the society? Punish or rehabilitate?

When an individual commits an offense, under established laws and constitutional demands, the person is arrested and prosecuted. When found guilty of the alleged offense, the person is sentenced. At this point, I think it is good that the arms of the law are allowed to do their job. The offender, too, should face the consequences of their actions. That way, it will serve as a deterrent to other citizens who might want to emulate the offender. That punishment will, at some point, break and open the individual to think about their actions, become remorseful, and change.

The other day, I was watching some short videos on the Discovery Channel when I came across an individual who is already serving some years behind bars being questioned for hitting another inmate in the prison. The individual boldly responded that the person was disrespectful, even though that person is physically challenged. After that interview, that individual was sent to solitary for another 30 days as a punishment for that action. Looking at that individual and the body language, that kind of person isn’t prepared to be reintegrated into society.

On the other hand, there are individuals who, at the point of the prosecution process, are already sober and remorseful about their actions. They show it in their daily interactions with people in the prison after they are found guilty and sentenced. They leave a practically changed life and are willing to continue in that changed attitude if given a second chance. For such people, I would welcome them back to society after passing through the rehabilitation centre.

Nick Fewings

Additionally, we should also remember that taxpayers resources are spent heavily during these proceedings. So, for me, these funds should be channeled towards equipping those behind bars with skills acquisition that will assist them to reintegrate into society once they are out, to keep them busy, because an idle man, they say, is the devil's workshop. That way, the feelings of being hurt, grief, and the agony of wasted years would be minimal once their minds are occupied with positive activities that bring peace and progress to their lives.

In the end, we have individuals who committed offenses, are prosecuted, punished, broken, and forgiven through rehabilitation centres to reunite with their families in society.

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