The Real Reasons Crime Persists Despite Punishment

Through the years we all know that the reward for committing any form of crime is punishment, which could be as simple as doing community service for certain hours, days or weeks; paying a fine; or, worst of all, going to prison to spend months, years or a death penalty for the crime being committed. However, despite the fact that many people are being punished for their actions, it's surprising to see that the crime rate kept increasing when it ought to reduce, and this leads to people questioning the effectiveness of punishment, wondering if it's effective or why it seems not to deter people from committing crime. Below I would state what I believe is the cause of these.

To start with, I'd like to say that it's not that punishment isn't enough to scare people from committing crime; in my opinion, I believe the reason goes beyond the fact that punishment isn't enough. I mean, who in their right sense would hear that they'll be locked up for most of their life due to a crime they commit and still want to go ahead with it, well, except for someone who's not psychologically alright or who has lost the will to live? Personally I believe the decline in the integrity of our force officials, the high cost of living and the poverty rate are the major reasons why people despise the weight of punishment and just find a way to survive.

Aside from these, another is the craving for wealth and power. A lot of people don't really want to face the wrath of the law, but then they want power and wealth, and for that reason they'll create a formidable team that they believe will help them stay above the consequences of their actions. While those who delve into crime just so they can survive are people who are tired or suffering, struggling and still not being able to make ends meet, you'll see people like this who are parents that are just stealing because they want to feed their children or children or young adults who are stealing because they're hungry.

Some other set of people indulge in crime out of revenge; it's not like such people don't know how severe the punishment they'll get for revenging is; it's just that they're clouded with desire to revenge evil done to them or their loved ones, and they'd rather take revenge and get punished than watch such a person go scot-free. Take, for instance, someone whose daughter was raped or killed, who might, out of anger, take drastic actions just so they can get revenge for what is done to them or their loved ones; of course, the revenge won't restore what is spoilt, but they just want such an individual to have a taste of their own medicine, and after that they'll happily face the wrath of the law, regardless of the punishment involved.

I believe if the justice system begins to work effectively, whereby people get punished for their crimes and don't get overlooked because they know someone in power, then many will abstain from committing crimes. Also, if the nation's economy is good and the cost of living reduces drastically alongside the poverty rate, I believe crime will reduce, because many of the crimes we have in our society are born out of lack or anger that follows the inability to perform your duties as a parent, individual and the like.

All photos are taken and edited on canva.