To Shame or Not to Shame the Offenders - Essay Example

To Shame or not to Shame In her article, Condemn the Crime, not the Person Tangney Jane presented her findings about finding another option to punish someone instead of giving them capital imprisonment. The author argues, capital punishment humiliates offenders and discourages them from changing. Often, imprisonment creates shame and this makes the situation worse. The author believes that it lead to defensive actions and not corrective behaviours. Tangney believes that shame discourages the offender to be better. While reading this article, the main question that lingered in mind is how we can discourage crime in the society? In essence, it is crucial to shame individuals to deter crime in the society. Well, one way to discourage offenders from committing crime is by imposing a structure where they understand that they will reap what they sowed. Thus, this paper seeks to discuss why it is important to shame offenders so that they can focus on the negative effects of their behaviour. I agree with Tangney article on how offenders are likely to be guilt when imprisoned for life. As this article puts it, this may increase brutalisation in the society and increase crime rate. The act of imprisoning people to death may increase psychological problems and thus, this is likely to increase the rate of killing. The act is morally problematic and flawed especially with the cost linked to it. Tangney (571) believes that, the society should work hard to ensure that offenders understand their negative constructive feelings. For instance, the government may create a platform where offenders understand the painful impact they bring to others. Tangney believes that, this would prevent people from committing the crime without having to imprison them for life. However, I believe that most offenders are selfish and they do not care about the person they are harming. For instance, one would go into a jewellery store and steal an expensive necklace. I believe that such a person understand the negative consequences of his behaviours to others. In other instances, sex offenders are selfish and do not care about the consequences of their negative behaviours. They ignore the fact that the person they are sexually assaulting can be sexually infected or become pregnant. Based on my analysis, I believe that most offenders are fully aware of their actions and how they affect others. With this, I believe that offenders should suffer for their wrong doings and in the case of a murder; he or she deserves a death penalty (Cromie and Lynn 22). The measure of the punishments should depend upon the magnitude of the crime. The court should punish those in the wrong to deter crime in the society. Criminals should be punished for the wrongdoing and capital punishment or death penalty should be imposed to those convicted of severe crime. Capital punishment is justified to a nation as it deters murders from killing innocent people. I believe that, imprisonment for life helps perpetrators to understand the possible effects of doing the act and this would prevent people from doing similar crimes. It may also reduce the number of criminals in the society because those convicted of the crimes cannot commit crimes in the society. In other words, imprisoning criminals for life may protect the society from harm in that perpetrator may no longer be a danger to the public. It may reinforce the argument that bad people deserve to be punished and the belief that a person reaps what he sows. In this way, capital punishment or imprisonment for life provides hope that there will always be a reward in due time. Punishing people for their wrong doings is crucial as it increases happiness, harmony, and unity in the society. It lays a strong ground for the society to accomplish its set goals and objectives without the fear of being harm, injured, or killed. I disagree with Tangney argument that the society should construct feelings of guilt to offenders particularly on the painful experiences they cause to others. This article points out that most offenders may not fully understand the impact their actions have on others. I disagree with this argument because every human being has the conscious that reminds them of their actions and their effects. For instance, most rapists are fully aware that raping is immoral and it may severely affect those who are sexually assaulted. If the rapist has an STD, he may fully comprehend that his action would transmit the diseases, increase trauma, and death. With this, it would not be applicable for the government or a nation to construct feelings of guilt to criminals especially on the painful experiences they cause to others. This would require unnecessary cost that would rather be used to increase economic growth. With this, punishing offenders for their action is the best deal to deter crime in the society. Imprisonment for life would be the best way to discourage those committing severe crimes. All guilty people and criminals deserve to be punished for the evil deeds. The punishments should be in proportion to the crime committed. Imprisonment for life is important since it lays a strong ground for people to live in harmony and promote a healthy and safe environment. A long sentence is crucial in enhancing justice for all especially those who have committed severe crimes such as killing and raping. In other cases, death penalty and capital punishment would suitable to save innocent lives. This punishment could fight for human rights especially those inflicted by offenders. It becomes the best way to demonstrate love, concern, and compassion for those inflicted. Those inflicted understand that the government understand their concern and needs of living in a peaceful environment. I defend punishing offenders for their wrongdoings on the basis that the society has the obligation of protecting the welfare and safety of its citizens. It is vital to note that that, murders and criminals threaten the safety and welfare of people. Thus, it becomes crucial when they are imprisoned to death. Thus far, this essay concludes that it is paramount to humiliate criminals for their wrongdoings to protect a safe and peaceful society. I believe that, criminals are more likely to be guilt when they are punished or imprisoned for life. It also lays a strong ground for other people to learn from them. Specifically, it helps the society to understand the importance of living in harmony with one another. Although Tangney’s article is rich in content especially on how punishment encourages people to commit more crimes, the truth of the matter is that a society cannot survive well without punishing criminals. Works Cited Cromie, Jenny, and Lynn M. Zott. The Death Penalty. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Print. Tangney June. Condemning the Crime not the Person. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8669262.html, 2001. Print. Read More