A few years ago, the crime rate in my country, Ghana was over the roof because things were hard for everyone. The youth didn’t have any means of survival as unemployment rate was high and there was literally nothing to do. Most people, especially fresh graduates were left to stay at home with little to no source of income. At that point, we all knew why there were so many crime cases in the country.
Fast forward to today, even though there are no jobs, we the youth have taken it upon ourselves to empower ourselves. Today, most people are entrepreneurs, including myself. The journey isn’t an easy one but with hardwork and dedication it will soon pay off. You just need to reach the end of the tunnel to see the light.
Speaking of crimes, so many things can be considered a crime depending on the act, where you find yourself and the intensity. To me, lying is a crime but I can’t arrest you for it. But murder someone and you’d find yourself in jail. So , it varies. Since I can’t arrest you, let’s look at crime from the view of the laws that govern a country.
I don’t make the laws , but I know the laws are in the best interest of the citizens and that is why it is important that measures are put in place to ensure we all abide by the laws of our countries. Obviously, before someone commits a crime they would have probably had time to think it through. I bet they knew it was wrong yet they still went ahead with it. The reason for the act now becomes the question of the day.
Was committing that crime a necessity or the individual just decided to go ahead with it caring less about its effects. Personally, some crimes cannot go unforgiven. For example, murder, armed robbery and the likes. Because what at all would lead you to such acts if not sheer wickedness and lack of empathy. People in this category need to and must rot in jail cos they can’t be left roaming in our country.
But, taking the case of stealing driven by necessity. Let’s imagine a father or mother stealing food just to be able to feed their kids at home because they’ve been working all day for money yet they have nothing to feed the family and no one to help them. Most people are starving as I speak now and it’s no joke. People are dying every minute out of starvation and so, for someone to steal food to feed their family or kids, I believe they should be forgiven and helped because if they had the means, it wouldn’t have come to this.
However , how many of these individuals are left to walk away after being caught stealing food? One thing I know for sure is that in some parts of my country, once you’re caught stealing, no questions asked, that’s going to be the end of you. In a way, I think it’s inhumane. We should at least give them the chance to talk or tell us why they are committing such acts and then hand them over to authorities instead of taking matters into our own hands.
Life is hard. Not everyone has things easy and so let’s try to be compassionate and help others when we can to prevent such occurrences. Thanks for your time.
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A good reflection on this theme that encompasses our society
This is the point where we consider intent, I think. Stealing to feed is pitiable, but it still is a crime. I mean, people would say that the thief should have resorted to even begging. I can understand how terrible it may be for a person to subject him/herself to stealing, but there are still different views to it.
They should always be given room to talk when caught stealing. I am very much against jungle justice, especially when it involves burning or killing the criminal. There are laws guiding these things.
Jungle justice is inhumane and most times, people still listen to what a culprit has to say but end up taking laws into their hands when they could have been handed to the authorities. Life isn't smooth for everyone.