The kids are all write: Prison or community service?

Do you believe that people who have committed minor crimes should only do community service? Minor crimes such as graffiti, stealing from shops, getting into a fight are all punishable by doing time within the local community. Many people think these people should face punishments that are more serious such as imprisonment. However, I believe community service fits the level of these crimes.

I think that people should do community service for minor crimes because it is cruel to send these people to prison. If a person goes to prison for a minor crime, it could seriously knock their confidence in life when they may have not meant to do such a petty crime in the first place.

Another reason is that prisons are overcrowded and that it could put pressure on the staff working there. It could make breaking out of prison easier because if there are more people in prison there will be less prison officers to keep people under control. Another thing is that many people who commit minor crimes suffer from mental health issues and might not have meant to do this, and so they should not go to prison but be treated properly within the community.

It could make breaking out of prison easier

In our class poll, 50% believe people should go to prison for minor crimes. One girl said: “They may do it again and if they go to prison it would teach them a lesson”. Another said: “They should lock people away for the safety of other people around them and that it would be better for society”. A third said: “They could influence and teach other people to commit offences, but if they go to prison, there is a smaller chance of someone doing the same thing”. A general feeling was that any crime is not right and all criminals should be punished. The people who are the victims are the ones who suffer.

In light of all these opinions, I still believe that people who have committed minor crimes should do community service and not go to prison because prison does not stop them and will not build better communities. I believe this is the better way to deal with less serious crimes and is an overall better solution for our society.  

Nine students from Portslade Aldridge Community Academy have been writing their own articles about something that matters to them, as part of Little Green Pig’s weekly after-school Tuesday club. For more info about the projects being set up for young writers across the city, go to littlegreenpig.org.uk