Crimes can’t be solved with punishment alone.

It is not news that any crime you commit has consequences for it. Right from when I was a kid, my mom made me understand that there are consequences for any crime I commit. At an early age we were told that stealing and assault are bad. Once we are involved in the act, it can lead to imprisonment, paying of heavy fines, or arrest. Despite having the knowledge, crime continues to exist. It has become a concern that I keep asking myself, do punishments actually work these days?

Almost everyone in the world understands that crime comes with consequences. From an early age, people learn that stealing, assault, fraud, and other criminal acts can lead to arrest, imprisonment, heavy fines, or even life sentences and capital punishment in some countries. Yet despite this knowledge, crime continues to exist. This raises an important question: do punishments actually work, or are they simply not enough to stop people from committing crimes?

For me the answer is a yes and no; punishment works to a certain extent. One thing about human beings is once there is law guiding them, there will be a limit to the crimes they commit, but if there is no law, crimes will be the order of the day because nobody will punish them for breaking the law. Let's take, for instance, a country where there is no punishment for fraud, theft, and so on. The country will be in a mess; thousands of people will not obey the law again because there are no consequences for their actions. Punishment serves as correction.

I don’t think punishment alone will eliminate crime; human behavior is influenced by many factors, which are beyond fear and consequences. Most people have this mindset that they can never be caught. One thing about humans is most times you allow your emotions to take over your thinking and actions, moments like anger, jealousy, and so on, forgetting there is punishment that will follow.

The economy of our country can help contribute to crime. Currently there is a higher rate of crime. The funny thing is they see it as a means to survive hardship in the country; people gladly involve themselves in crimes, knowing the consequences. When people see crime as a normal thing and when they see that the potential reward outweighs the punishment, they will commit the crime and face the consequences. In situations like this, you will see that punishment is not enough.

Punishment serves purposes beyond deterrence; it helps protect society by removing criminals from the street, it helps the victims get justice, and it also helps in the reinforcement of social values, helping to know which behaviors are not acceptable.

Over the years many people have been arguing that rehabilitation should be involved in the punishment. There should be an avenue to educate, create job skills, and enlighten them more; with that, they will leave the prison better. If there is rehabilitation, it will help reduce offenders repeating the same crime.

Punishment works, but it is not seen as a magical solution. Once there is fear of consequences, it helps prevent crimes. But it can’t eliminate crime. Crimes can’t be solved with punishment alone.

This is my entry on the weekly prompt #hivelearners #hl-w222e1: Do punishments work?

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