Do criminals need help more than punishment?

Answer 1

I had the misfortune of being attacked while jogging on Sept. 16 by two young men on Pacific Avenue. They stole my iPod and punched me twice in my face. Two very young men were picked up for this attack and are awaiting their time before a judge. A lot of people have shared their feelings about this event with me and their reactions only add further hurt to the situation. Their responses have been disappointing - "chuck them in jail and throw away the key," "an eye for an eye," "let me at them," "d*** kids."

While I understand these common reactions, I want for us to remember for a moment the old adage: "It takes a community to raise a child." This is our community and these boys are a part of this community, therefore they are ours as well. A 34-year-old man that I know who lived a youth doing things similar to what these boys did told me that what he needed at that age was someone to grab him by the hand and say: "I care enough about you to show you a different way. I care enough about you to want more for you. I care enough about you that I'm not going to let you hurt your community or the people in it." Jail was where he met the people who would eventually lead him deeper into a life of crime. Other criminals became his family. As a parent, this is not what I would want for my child or what I want for the two boys that attacked me.

I don't have the answers and I know there is no easy solution. My only suggestion is that talk is cheap and we need to do more than talk. When we are quick to say throw the book at these boys, I suggest instead a different approach, one that will require action on your part. Donate some time to our community's drop-in centres and youth programs and initiatives; become a Big Brother or Sister; donate time or money to drug and violence prevention programs and initiatives; become a mentor; lay down your judgments; start believing in our youth again and give them a reason to believe in themselves again. Become the change you want to see in our Brandon.

People say they want to worry about their own backyards before having to clean up others. Brandon is our backyard and we are all responsible for it. Part of that is teaching these young people to be responsible for it, too. I know these young boys need consequences and I respect whatever decision the judge makes.

And to the two young boys who attacked me, although what you did has changed certain parts of me and I am angry at the choice you made that day, I forgive you. I am sorry that people in your life have failed you to the point where you have turned to the lifestyle that you have. I hope that one day someone will help you to find your true path.

I hope someone teaches you about respecting and honoring women, your community and yourself.

Answer 2

Putting someone in jail or on house arrest isn't totally about punishment. It is often about separating them from people they can hurt, and removing them from situations where they can cause more harm. However, it is important that many of these people do receive some form of counseling and metal health evaluation. It is something that is lacking to a large degree in our prison systems.

Answer 3

In my opinion Help.Criminals do things for a reason, sometimes it might not be the right thing, but they don't have the same understanding of that as you and I.