Essay 254 – The crime rate has increased significantly

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 254

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The crime rate, in many countries, has increased significantly over the last few years despite tough laws and regulations. Some people think that more should be done to prevent crime, whereas others feel that nothing can be done.

What viewpoint do you agree with?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

In many parts of the world, the crime rate has reached epic proportions over the last few years in spite of strict laws and regulations. Many believe that more steps ought to be taken to curb crimes, yet others deem that nothing can be done to deter crimes. In this case, the writer agrees with the first viewpoint.

On the one hand, the states should take progressive steps to cut the crime rate. To start with, education and awareness programmes often bring better results in fighting social crimes than the fear of punishments. Moreover, capital punishment ought to be diminished, and hard labour and community services should be more widely used for felons. Apart from that, governments can allow incarcerated individuals’ access to proper education programmes so that they can sharpen their marketable skills while in prison. This, in turn, helps incarcerated persons lead a decent life after leaving prisons, thereby reducing recidivism. Thus, the governments can decrease crime rates by focusing on education, relaxing harsh punishment and introducing prison education.

Civil society groups on the other hand can be of real help to hold down the crime rate. They can analyze underlying causes of the situation, formulate recommendations, devise policy options and take part in policy dialogue to address crimes. Civil society actors can also run advocacy campaigns to invoke political will among decision-makers and employ effective strategies to obtain desired results. Aside from this, individuals also can play an important role in lowering crime rates. For instance, citizens can prevent many crimes by sharing crucial information on crime hotspots. It goes without saying that when individuals themselves care about preventing crimes in their neighbourhoods, it can be an effective measure in reducing crime rates.

To conclude, to make society sustainable, peaceful, and keep its crime rate in control, governments, citizens, and civil society groups should work together. Thus, there are a lot more measures to be introduced to combat crime and the scope is still there.