Some people believe that longer prison sentences are the best way to decrease crime while others believe that there are alternative ways to decrease crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion

Governments, police and policymakers have long sought ways to decrease

crime

. While some people believe that lengthy jail sentences are the best way, others think that there are better alternatives. In

this

essay, I will consider both views and explain why I feel treatment and education programs are vital to

curb

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curbing

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crime

. According to some, incarcerations, particularly for extended periods, is society's most powerful way to deter criminality, The rationale is that would-be offenders would think twice before committing a

crime

if they had the threat of prison, and all the discomfort, danger and stigma that it entails, in their minds. Indeed,

this

is why many countries, the USA

in particular

, continue to take a tough stand on

crime

by imposing increasingly lengthy sentences and locking up even petty offenders. Though

this

may seem to tackle the problem, the soaring

crime

rate in the US proves

otherwise

. Others propose alternative solutions to the

crime

problems. Rather than sending offenders to jail, some systems prefer to use community service as a penalty.

This

involves the perpetrator contributing in some way to society,

such

as cleaning or helping on community projects, as a means of reparation.

Such

programs have had success

although

for

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,for

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serious or violent criminals,

this

is not a viable option. In my view, even though imprisonment is still necessary in order to protect society from dangerous people, I feel that education and rehabilitation programs both in prison and in the community are the best ways to reduce

crime

rates. In Australia,

for instance

, the vast majority of criminals have mental health or addiction issues. These underlying factors must be dealt with in order to prevent reoffending. Without them, released prisoners are bound to end up behind bars again. In conclusion,

although

imposing longer jail terms may seem to be

deterrent

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a deterrent

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to

crime

, other options are more effective. I feel that dealing with addiction and mental illness is key to driving down the

crime

rate in the long term.