Crime: IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people argue that young people who commit minor crimes should do unpaid work in the community rather than be sent to prison. I strongly agree with this view, provided that the work is properly organised and supervised.

The main problem with imprisoning young offenders is that prison often makes them more likely to commit crimes, not less. A teenager jailed for shoplifting or vandalism will spend months alongside people convicted of far more serious crimes, and some will pick up new criminal skills and contacts there. Prison also interrupts education at a crucial age, and once released, young people carry a criminal record that can make employers reluctant to hire them. Without qualifications or a job, many return to the same friends and habits, so it is hardly surprising when they break the law again.

Community service, by contrast, allows young people to repair some of the harm they have caused while staying in school and with their families. A young person who sprayed graffiti on a wall can be made to clean it, and others might help in a care home or a local park. Such work is not an easy option: it requires turning up on time, following instructions and facing the community that has been harmed. For many, this experience builds a sense of responsibility and is a far more effective path to rehabilitation than a cell. It is also much cheaper for the state.

That said, this approach has limits. Repeat offenders may need stricter supervision or other measures, so that the public does not see the system as an easy escape from punishment.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that unpaid community work is the better response to minor crimes by young people, as long as it is well supervised and taken seriously by both the courts and the offenders.