People who commit serious crimes should be kept in prison for as long as possible

[Svyatoslavkn]

People who commit serious crimes should be kept in prison for as long as possible to ensure that they cannot commit more crimes.

The situation which is connected with offenders who committed severe crimes provokes serious discussion in society. There are two main opinions - the first one is that criminals are able to change their behaviour, and the second position is that they are very dangerous for society, and that it is better to keep them away from social life. However, from my point of view, the last idea is the most sensible, and I base my opinion on my law degree and some practical experience.
Firstly, it has become very popular idea that people's behaviour is very changeable and even that of criminals. As a result, many non-governmental organisations work for this noble idea. However, it would not be a democratic discussion if there was only one position. At the same time, a significant part of society supposes that former criminals are able to commit crimes again and again. They base their opinion on the fact that many offenders return to prison many times.
Secondly, committing crimes is the integral part of criminals' behaviour and especially for those who commit very serious crimes. In fact, in many countries of the world society and official authorities face with the problem that it is almost impossible to change these people or to put them on the road to honest life.
Thirdly, in my experience as a lawyer who meet different people almost everyday it is almost impossible to make from these people honest members of society. Moreover, in many cases these prisoners do not have intention to change something and they are not about to respect the law.
In conclusion, it is important to outline the key points of the present discussion. There are two pole positions on the question that prisoners can receive an additional chance or that these people cannot be trusted and they should be in prison for a long time. However, from my point of view, criminals who commit serious crimes are not able to be honest members of society because once they made their choice and moreover, the majority of them do not tend to change something in their lives. I believe that prison is the best place where these people should be.

TOEFL listening discussions: A conversation between an upperclassman and a freshman coed