There are far more effective punishments for criminals than prison

Criminals should be in prisons. In most of the cases people think like this. But we can change the way of thinking. Maybe it is possible to find other, more effective, punishment for criminals, isn’t it? Of course, the highest point of punishment is a death penalty, that is common in many countries of the present world, but we will not speak about this. There are many other ways how to “treat” the criminals. Let’s think of this. 

First of all, sometimes community service is more useful not only for criminal, but for the whole society. Of course, if it’s not dangerous for people. Criminals are also the part of society, maybe its special part, but we shouldn’t deny, that they can do something for the country and its economics. In some areas the problem of quantity of workers exists. So, we have a good decision how to solve this problem. Another effective kind of punishment is a suspended prison sentence. The criminal can live just like he lived before the crime, but he can’t feel himself free. It means that he tries to be more attentive and thoughtful in his life. But I think it’s not enough. Surely, these people should have a conversation with a psychologist for better understanding the reasons of the crime and finding the ways of changing the behaviour or even the way of life. Criminals can also share their problems and thoughts with the other people, who can help them. It can be different social organizations, which are spread nowadays. Of course, criminals also can speak with each other, maybe they can understand each other even better.

On the other hand, we can’t say, that prison sentence is not an effective punishment. In many cases it is the only way for some criminals, especially in countries where there is no death penalty. For example, if an offender killed someone it will be better for him and for the whole society to keep him away from the other people to prevent another crime and to give him time to think about the life. In prison the criminal is an isolated person. It is very useful for him to live in worse conditions. Of course, life in prison is very cruel and dangerous, but it helps criminals to understand their mistakes, big mistakes, that have influenced on people’s lives. Prison changes the life of the person. It can spoil him or vice versa “treat” him. Bad or good influence of such life depends on conditions and person’s  emotional health.

To summarize all the mentioned ideas, I’d want to say, that all the punishments are good if they are effective and if they influence on criminal’s way of thinking, his future life and behaviour. All the people in society should be in safety. This is the main thing. What kind of punishment is more effective? This depends on situation and person.

My education

       We know such a phrase like “We study during all the life”. It’s true about my life, because I have been studying during approximately seventeen years :) and I hope, that I will continue my studying. Can I tell, that I like to study very much? No, I can’t tell this. 

Now I’m a fourth year student of university, which is called Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University. I’m twenty years old and I can tell, that now I have a little recollection of my memories concerning nursery school. The only thing I remember is that I wanted to go to the primary school so much, that I stayed near the fence of my nursery school and looked with admiration at the children, who played volleyball at the playground of primary school. I have never fight with the boys and girls. I was a very peaceful child and I tried to reconcile all the children.

At six I finally began to study at the primary school. I was very happy. I didn’t excelled academically. I don’t know what had happened with me, but I began to blossom intellectually at the age of eight and I was at the top of my form for most subjects, but I didn’t show off.

   I studied at one and the same school all the time. I can’t say, that I didn’t excel at sport. I went for different kinds of sport. For example, when I studied at the primary school, I went to the dance classes. After that I played basketball and tennis. I liked that. Unfortunately, now I don’t go for sports, because most of the time I spend with the books. At school I was very calm and reserved person. Most of my classmates don’t know who I am even now.

When I left the school it was very difficult for me to understand, what I like more: Economics or English. On the one hand, I learned Economics during two last years of my studying at school and our teacher was a lecturer from the university, in which I study now. On the other hand, I liked English and I knew, that it’s very important to know this language. But I wouldn’t think about that and I didn’t agonise over a long time, because I entered the Ukrainian philology faculty…

At school I didn’t like Ukrainian language and I couldn’t even imagine, that I should study this language for six “never-ending” years. It was a big surprise for me: neither Economics nor English. At the beginning I couldn’t speak Ukrainian, because I studied at Russian school. It was terrible! But now I tried to persuade myself, that studying Ukarainian language is my job, even if this job isn’t so pleasant. The most important thing, that have happened in my life with entering this university is the meeting with Nastya, my best friend. It’s easier for us to study and to live, when we are together.

If I could do it all again, would I do anything differently? Yes, of course. Some things I would change. If I were back at comprehensive school, I’d spend more time with friends and taking part in different extra-curricular activities. Maybe I’d enter the another faculty. Who knows? Maybe this real life is even better than my desirable one :)