Criminologists have identified various definitions of crime. Crime is an act committed by persons who go against societal norms and expectations. It also involves breaking of laws of the land. These acts include robberies, vandalism, theft, rape, and other various vices. The actors of these crimes are usually referred to as criminals. There are many reasons why the crime rate is high in the United States. Some of the reasons include jealousy, anger, greed, and revenge. During the recession, crime rates tend to shoot up in the U.S. because of poor living conditions and pressure to meet daily needs. The urge to continue with criminality is encouraged when the rewards are handsome and steals successfully without being got. Research reveals that an individual who steals for the first time and escapes without being got is likely to repeat the vice. But if an individual steals for the first time and he is got and punished he is likely not to repeat the vice. Such a person would likely quit the act of criminality.
Many sociologists have argued that the punishment of an individual when he commits a crime discourages people from indulging in criminal tendencies. Punishment of offenders should be stipulated, in-laws. An individual cannot be punished if there is no law guiding the judgment. The legal process involves the police, who are responsible for investigating crimes and making the arrest of the offenders. When an individual is arrested the court determines whether that individual is wrong or not. If an individual is found guilty of committing an offense he/she is sent to prison or offered any form of punishment depending on the crime committed. Punishment of offenders has helped a lot in reducing the rates of crimes in the United States. Punishment serves to deter the offender from repeating the crime in the future. It also discourages those who are about to commit the crimes or any future crimes. Punishment of offenders is also meant to rehabilitate the individuals to abandon the old habits and reform. Offenders commit crimes due to various reasons. Some commit crimes under the influence of drugs. Different offenders are offered skills and treatment depending on the nature of the crimes they committed. Individuals are also trained to be acceptable in the societies where they committed crimes. Rehabilitation is usually offered to first offenders and juveniles because they have not hardened in the criminal behavior. Punishment is also meant to reinstate the victim of the crime to the normal position before the crime was committed against him/her. When an individual is sent to prison the money earned through goods and services he offers in prison should be used in compensation of victims of crime.
Punishment of offenders through detention helps in reducing the crime rates. This is because the offenders are few in society. Reducing the opportunities of committing crimes also helps to deter possible offenders from committing a crime. This can be done through regular police patrol on the areas prone to crimes, installing cameras on the target of criminals like the banking halls, and regular checking of illegal firearms. The law enforcement agencies should also work in cooperation with the police to reduce crime in society. Criminals are products of society and most of the criminals are known in society. The government should always chip in during a recession to help the people. This is through the provision of unemployment benefits and cheaper housing facilities. This would lessen the possibility of individuals engaging in criminality.