Answer to Question #173138 in English for ajdfh

Question

Write one paragraph reflection to Adam Foss' TedTalk, "A prosecutor's vision for a better justice system."

https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_foss_a_prosecutor_s_vision_for_a_better_justice_system?

language=en

Consider the following in your reflection:

- Foss presents alternatives to incarceration as punishments for crimes. Do the alternatives that he presents sound "fair" (to the victim, to the culprit) or "effective" (in terms of punishing a person and/or preventing them from committing crimes in the future)?

- Do you think the kinds of alternatives that Foss discusses are too "soft" on crime and will not do a good job at deterring people from committing crimes if they aren't afraid of going to prison?

- Do you think his alternatives can only work on non-violent offenders? Or could they also be effective in violent offenses? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Adam Foss, a prosecutor with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office in Boston, makes the case for a changed justice system that replaces retribution with opportunity, improving rather than destroying people's lives. In criminal justice system, it is hard to measure fairness. However, anything that change a criminal life from worst to better make them important and fit for the society and that is fairness. Alternatives to incarceration are always more fair to the victims but often for minor cases. For example, in case of theft, the offendor can work on ways to repay what he/she stole, do community service and be an ambassodor for change in the community. There is no need to waste public resources imprisoning someone when the alternative of not imprisoning is much better and have the best future outcomes. These alternatives are not soft on criminals because they get to pay directly for their crimes. Even though these alternative do not work for violent crimes, their application can help prevent these crimes in the future.