Punishment and rehabilitation

Editor: There continues to be much discussion on sentencing when it comes to young people. When a person is found guilty of a crime, sending the person to prison ought to serve two purposes.

It ought to give the person the chance to reflect on his life with intention of change and also serve as a punishment, while giving some satisfaction of justice to the victims.

Sentencing a person to prison some may argue, can help the individual become better at committing crimes since they would be amongst many other criminals. While this argument has merit, I would suggest that they be sentenced and sent to be part of the many programmes that are held at the institutions [where] skilled work is done. There used to be music class and adult education. I am not certain if the latter is still held. If it is not then it should be restarted and have them be part of some of these classes.

These can aid in the rehabilitation of the individuals with the hope that they would have a ‘turn around’ in their life for the better.

Kennard King