Essay Writing Sample 53 - What is the best way to reduce crime rates?

Essay Writing sample 53

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

People have a wide range of opinions on how long should the prison sentences be and the effectiveness of prison sentences. While the general idea is that longer sentences are the correct form of punishment, I believe other methods exist for effectively penalizing ones breaking the law.

First, I strongly believe that the death penalty should never be considered. Not only it is inhumane, but it may also present an overly simple solution. In my opinion, spending the rest of one's life imprisoned would be far more painful than facing execution. Let's consider the United States as an example. Every year, we hear numerous stories of individuals wrongly receiving the death penalty and losing their lives despite the fact that they are actually innocent.

Furthermore, I believe that life sentences are not the sole solution to this issue. European countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark do not have life sentences, yet they have some of the lowest crime rates globally. This is due to their highly advanced legal systems, where the primary objective of prisons is not punishment, but rather reintegration of offenders into society through education and rehabilitation. This method helps reduce crime rates by preventing criminals from re-offending after release from prison.

In conclusion, while life sentences may be appropriate for certain serious crimes like murder, rape, or terrorism, for individuals accused of minor offenses like robbery, arson, or drug use, I believe we should adopt a more systematic and peaceful approach, just like the one employed in Sweden, to effectively reduce crime rates.

Approximately 257 words / written by Arda D. (IELTS)