A 'Projected Grade' is an estimate of the final grade you might receive if the full essay is completed in the same style as the work assessed.
This highlight shows analysis of View A (Punishment).
This highlight shows analysis of View B (Rehabilitation).
This highlight shows your own Evaluation, where you weigh the views or make a judgment.
Hover over a highlight to see the examiner's comment. The highlight will darken.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
While both sources present valid perspectives on reducing crime, I agree more with Source B's focus on rehabilitation and reform. It offers a more pragmatic and sustainable long-term solution to crime reduction by tackling its root causes, an approach which is supported by evidence regarding reoffending. Source A compellingly argues that punishment through 'long, tough prison sentences' serves as a powerful deterrent and ensures justice for victims. The principle of retribution is indeed important for public trust; however, the source's reliance on punishment as the *most effective* method is questionable. For example, Ministry of Justice statistics consistently show that adults who serve custodial sentences of less than 12 months have a reoffending rate of around 60%. This suggests that for many offenders, prison is not an effective deterrent and fails to address the underlying issues causing their criminal behaviour. Conversely, Source B advocates for a 'smart justice system' that prioritises rehabilitation by investing in education, mental health treatment, and addiction support. This directly addresses the failure of the punitive model by seeking to reform the individual, which is crucial given that the UK has one of the highest reoffending rates in Europe. The source highlights cost-effective alternatives like community sentences, which force an offender to repay society while also attending programmes to address their behaviour. This is not only a more targeted approach but is also significantly more cost-effective. A prison place costs the taxpayer over £40,000 per year, money which, as Source B implies, could be better invested in preventative services. In conclusion, while the arguments for punishment in Source A have emotional and moral weight, Source B's evidence-based focus on rehabilitation presents a more convincing and effective strategy for achieving the shared goal of reducing crime in the long term.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source B more than Source A. As the aim of the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reform. For example, prisoners could use their time instead of staying in a dark lifeless cell. They could spend their time going through a community sentence, while attending programs that address their behavior. This procedure would reduce time spent in prison which can reduce fights and crimes done in prison, while also doing unpaid work. Although, the fundamental purpose of the justice system is to punish those who break the law, which ensures a sense of justice and fairness for victims. The source states the public rightly expects a sentence that reflects the severity of the offence (retribution). By ignoring these procedures and leaning towards leniency would betray victims and public bodies who fought hard for the sentence.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with writer A that the justice system should focus on punishment and retribution. This is because the criminal's sentence should match the crime commited, this ensures just and fair consequences that should deter criminals from committing serious crimes as there would be long sentences for crimes like murder. This helps the justice system as there is clear consequences to crime. And will help communities feel safe as for example less serious criminals would be on the street. One could argue on the other hand that with writer B as many criminals reoffend. For example, frequently reoffenders on short sentences is extremely high. Therefore, the justice system should provide rehabilitation and formation to guide criminals onto a better path. Moreover it would allow more criminals to have a better life after prison as they are taught proper human decency or how to live their life outside 1st crime. This will decrease reoffending rates and increase job/employment as more criminals can be elligible and able to work after prison. Furthermore, the justice system can implement restorative justice which allows criminals to avoid prison while giving within the community to voice their struggles and to overcome their trauma and struggles. This helps both criminals and victims as criminals can learn from their actions as they see the aftermath or outcome their actions has inflicted on things or people.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with writer one who believes in the fact that the system should focus on punishment and retribution rather than rehabilitation and reform. The reason why I agree with this source A rather than source B is due to the fact that those who unfortunately misuse their free will and do evil deserve to face the consequences rather than be helped out by the government and being treated as a respectable citizen who could do no wrong. This also ensures a sense of justice and fairness for victims and society as a whole. Rehabilitation could be seen as being let-off which might impact society to believing that the government is just a baseless organisation and is not able to protect society. However, some might believe that rehabilitation and reform is ultimately the way to go due to the fact that it shows that the government is care about society as a whole and is doing its best to rehabilitate former criminals and therefore reduce crime rates overall.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
On one hand I agree with Source A. This is because if a crime doesnt recieve a punishment of the same severity, they are more likely to reoffend putting the public at risk of being harmed making the community unsafe. Another reason why I agree with source A is because they say restorative places an unfair burden on vicims to engage with them. This also undermines the victim and crime as it makes punishment a less severe thing. On the other hand, I agree with Source B as restorative justice can change someone's behavior and is significantly cheaper. This puts victims at less of risk of being harmed or hurt and making the community a safer place. Another reason why I agree with Source B is because the point of justice and fairness is to create a safer society. This means that punishment such as restorative justice allows the criminal to change and do better for their community. In conclusion I believe Source B is what I agree with the most because making offenders take responsibility through ways like community service can change the behavior of the criminal and will make them less likely to reoffend.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with source B more than Source A due to the facts stated and how the idea is presented. For example, Source B states how the justice system must prioritise rehabilitation and reform. Statistics show that ex-convicts are usually likely to go back to prison for the same offence if they haven't recieved proper rehabilitation for their actions. Some offenders are usually let off early which leads to reoffending. The core concept of justice and fairness must extend to creating a safer, working society, which can only be achieved if the justice system focuses on rehabilitation and reform. On the other hand, I can understand Source A. Source A explains that criminals must be punished and potential criminals must be halted. This is a clear excercise of the justice system's power and authority. Sometimes the justice system is too lenient and sometimes let off serious criminals without getting the punishment they deserve. If an offender is punished with a severe significant loss of freedom.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source B that the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reform. This is because people being sent to prison don't learn anything and repeat thier behaviour. In the text it says 'simply locking people up in a cycle of punishment does little change thier behaviour and fails our society'. This shows evidenc that when people get locked up and released they barely learn anything and still continue thier bad behaviour. However if you focus on rehabilitation prisioners can learn from thier mistake and become a better person. Also in Source A it says, 'the primary goal must be to deter potential criminals. Long, tough prision sentences send a clear message, that crime will not be tolerated, making our communities safer'. However if a prisioner is released and does not learn anything they are most likely to continue thier bad doing.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I mostly agree with writer B because it states 'simply locking people up in a cycle of punishment does little to change their behavior and fails our society'. and I agree with this statement as it is proven that over 50 percent of prisoners recommit and go back to jail. meaning that jail has some fun to it which makes them want to come back, this also makes me think that the justice system has to focus more on jails to help prisoners not to come back and to not commit another crime.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
In my opinion I agree with writer A. this is because London has one of the highest reoffending fates due to people coming out of prison and committing more crimes then before, whereas to decrease the reoffending rates you would need a more severe punishment. before causing criminals to reflect on their actions and potentially come out as a new person creating a better system for people who has harmed others and stop others from coming out and getting harmed by victims family or friends. I believe community sentences often fail to work so allowing family to get justice for whatever happens due to the reoffending rate being high and them reoffending and they are still roaming the free after doesn't help with justice just encourages them to commit more crimes.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source B because it is talking about people who are doing crime and done telling a way to treat them so they will learn the addresses causes to work and to prevent the future victims by reforming the individual. but source A is just makin things more harsh for prisoners. If you make things hard for prisoners they will be more angry and will not change their behaviour if they go out and this will cout cause problem in the community.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with writer a on the justice system should focus on punishment and rehabilitation. This is because in the eyes of the law and public, rightly expects a sentence that reflects the severity of offenders. For example long tough prison sentences send a clear message to the offender as significant loss of freedom results in less chances of being less likely to reoffend. This means that not only is it keeping them away from innocent citizens it prevents the community from feeling at risk of being in danger. for example community sentences are often seen to fail to work and is seen as letting offenders off lightly. However I disagree to an extent with Source B on the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reform. I disagree with this claim to an extent because not everyone goes to even do their community sentences, them being able to still have freedom after commiting crimes doesnt set a firm punishment and stops them from reoffending. Although I do believe there could be change if the crime wasn't as sevier, them paying back to the community is fair.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with source A that states and belives that the justice system should focus on punishment and retribution. Having people who commit crimes recive long-term punishments not only teaches prisoners the harsh lesson that their actions have consequences, but it also stops others from comitting crimes through the fear of being punished. Source A belives that restorative justice is a scheme that unfair scheme that puts a burden on victims. On the other hand, some may also agree with source B that belive presents the idea of justice systems focusing more on reform and rehabilitation. Source B states, 'The concept of justice and fairness must extent to creating safer community in the long term'. People belive our current punishment systems are causing prisoners to reoffend because of the pain they went through, they'd want to retaliate, unlike if the government was to help people instead of parish. Overall, both Source A and B present contrasting ideas as Source A relies on punishment wheras Source B relies on trust. I belive that it is important to give victims closure and make the criminals face punishments for their wrongdoings.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with writer source A. Because the word justice and fairness mean how the government should give people fairness. If someone commited crime the person should give point of view and reason why they shouldn't go prison. The source of how it shows in source a how that people should take punishment seriously as law is set in the UK. In conclusion I belive that the rehabilitation socity of crime rates in the UK is the highest because we want to help people to stop commiting crime and to understand the rates and how laws, justice solve these massive problems.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source A mostly, this is because I think punishment is more important than rehabilitation. Punishment would be set in place if your just going to do more time after prison for example, if your set in prison for 5 years and then you finish your sentence.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I mostly agree with source B. This is because they explain why punishing people with jail is not that effective. This is seen when the source mentions that a 'truly effective justice system should prioritise rehabilitation'. I agree as if your going to jail and you're not changing and you're still misbehaving/ same characteristics then you didn't really learn your lesson and will probably end up back in jail. Some people may say Source A is more reasonable. This is because the more or longer you're in jail, the more you would want to stay out of jail. Also people may say, that if you're given more chance to stay the same you will eventually stay in jail forever and you will not see the outside world with no chance of forgiveness which shows the power and authority of the country.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
Writer A believes that punishments such as community work and restorative justice are not effective with changing an offender from reoffending and believes that prison is an alternative and effective way. Whereas, Source B believes that things such as community service and restorative justice allows offenders to reconcible with society and their victims. Personally, I agree with Source B to a large extent as allowing the offender and their victim are given a chance to create a bond which is beneficial. E.g. An offender breaks the victims property, Restorative justice allows the offender apologise for their actions to the victim. This helps the offender learn to take accountability for their actions in the future. It also prevents trauma for the victim. Another reason why I agree is, prison is expensive. For example, the estimated price for prisoners is atleast £3000. This could impact the economic state of the UK as the government is spending more than their revenue, potentially causing the country to become broke. which is why methods such as community service and restorative justice is better as they're cheaper than prison. Therefore, I agree with Source A because restorative justice is beneficial for both the victim and offender and community service and restorative justice is cheaper.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree that the justice system should focus on punishment and retribution (Source A). This is because although criminals are still people it doesnt change the fact that they commited a crime in the eyes of the law. This should be unacceptable. Long, tough prison sentences send a clear message that crime will not be tollerated, making our communities safer. Not only does it re-enforce the law, it protects the people around, and give less probability to reoffend, maintaining order in the process. However I also disagree with the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reform (Source B). The reason is that even though they go through rehabilitation there is no guarantee that they wont reoffend, and this may make them think that the punishment to the crimes arent that severe. They will take advantage to reduce there sentence only to do it again defeating the whole purpose of punishment disrupting order. Overall I believe that people should be punished for their actions to maintain order in society.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I personally agree with Source B that prison should be a place of rehabilitation and being reintigrated into society. One reason why I agree with Source B is because whilst punishment is a role, its better to target the root of the crime. Restavitive justice can also play a role in the offender facing the consequences that happed due to their crime. Although some people agree with Source A as criminals should be punished for their crimes in prison. Restavitive justice may also not work if the crime is too severe such as assault causing serious bodily harm or sexual abuse. This can risk re-traumatising the victim. In conclusion I agree with Source B as criminals can learn useful skills in whilst in prison. Although I understand why people agree with Source A as loss of freedom can reduce reoffending as they don't want to loose freedom.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with writer 1 due to the fact that the fundamental purpose of the justice system is to punish those who break the law. People who commit serious crimes deserve no freedom and need to be locked up. Community sentences often fail to work. Although I strongly agree with writer B. For an example the core concept of justice and fairness must extend to everybody in a safer society in the long term. Which can only be achieved by reducing the number of people who reoffend.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
The argument is is the justice system should focus on either rehabilitation and reform or punishment and retribution. I personal agree with Source A: The justice system should focus on punishment and retribution. This is because it gives the sense of justice to the victims and the society; if someone was to harm someone in your family but instead of the criminal being punished they go through rehabilitation, I would want the person to pay for their crimes instead of basically getting away with it. Also I believe if the punishment is the justice system doesn't look scary most people would ignore it. However, if the justice system is punishment I wouldn't even attempt to do a crime due to the fear of the punishment. On the other hand, some people may argue that rehabilitation is better; this might be because they believe rehab will change a prisners mindset helping them to not do anything like what they did, again.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source A to a certain extent because the entire point of the prison and power system is to give justice to the victims of these prisoners. Restorative justice is not a punishment and allows for prisoners to get away with their crimes scot-free. Prisons are a major determent to those who are thinking of acting on an instinct and commiting crime. The fear of punishment overwhelms any urges. Therefore if we place the focus on restorative justice, not only do we allow criminals to get away with their misbehaviour, it encourages other to commit crime because they know they can evade punishment. However, contrastingly, you can make an argument for Source B because the punishment system isn't completely successful. The UK has one of the highest reoffending rates in all of Europe. The idea of prison is not just that prisoners recieve punishment but they come out as better people - rehabilitation will do this. Prisons will place value in education, mental health support and addiction support.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
Some may agree with source A the most. This is because source makes a valid point saying criminals who have offended must be jailed based on the severing of their offence. By the age of 10 you can be imprisoned, which means when that age has been reached you are now responsible for your own actions, meaning no crime should be taken lightly because they should know what the consequences of their action were going to be. Given the victim a lighter scentence means you are belittling what the offender did to their victim. In contrast to the last point some may agree with source B more. This may be because they think rehabilitating someone would make them less likley to reoffend. Addressing the offender's mental health better could make them less likely to reoffend.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I think that writer 1 has a more sustainable point rather than writer 2. This is because once a serious crime or offence is commited, the public and victims family should have a strict punishment depending on the crime. For example, domestic violence should be chosen based off of the severity and how long it has been going on for. On the other hand, writer 2 make a valid point by trying to address the use of mental health treatment to help the offender reflect on their actions. For example, if someone has a mental illness and they cant control what they do to an extent. Someone without the illness. In conclusion, I personally think punishment should be the main solution for fixing crime in general.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
On one hand, I agree with the idealisation of Source A punishment and retribution for criminals because it reflects their actions and their wrongdoings that are rightly burdened onto them. We see this through the quote "The public rightly expects a sentence that reflects the severity of the offence". This gives the criminal an insight of how their actions will always come back to them; this might lower reoffending rates compared to Source B. However, Source B prioritises rehabilitation and reform as a way of positively changing the criminals behaviour after juture actions through mental realisation and reform. This is evidenced through the quote "justice systems must prioritise rehabilitation to tackle the root causes of crime". This examines on the idealization of how restorative justice positively tackles and addresses further causes to prevent future victims from reoffending which could lower reoffending rates. Finally, I would say I agree with source B the most through its belief of restorative justice and how confronting root causes decrease reoffending rates and stops future offenders affecting society.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with B the most because I feel like the justice system right now is not working and is just leaving prisions packed for stuff like petty theft this includes stealing a drink or just a sandwhich. I agree with B when they state that they want to priortise rehabilitation to tackle the root cause of crime and simply locking people up in a cycle of punishment does little to change their behaviour. But I do agree with A for some point of the justice system when they state that 'Leniency, and so-called soft options' undermine the public trust and devalue the suffering of victims. and I also believe that having leniency would just make someone more likely to do a crime if they know that their time in jail will be short.
"Both writers agree that the aim of the justice system is to reduce crime. Which writer do you agree with most? Explain your answer by evaluating the arguments in both sources and using your own knowledge."
I agree with Source B which says the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reform. Helping offenders to stop there behavior can help them from doing it again in future. Source B says that punishment alone does not work and that the UK has one of the highest reoffending rate. However I understand Source A's point that punishment and retribution make people feel justice has been done and can stop others from committing crimes.