Serving the Victim Could Replace Many a Jail Sentence

Supposing we revamped our penal system with this thought in mind: The criminal offenders should be responsible to their victims, and should provide restitution to them.

I'm told that with just 5 percent of the world's population, we have 25 percent of all those who are incarcerated. I'm told it cost us $60.3 billion a year. At some point, we must ask if there are less expensive ways that are also more effective.

Perhaps having the offenders be answerable to their victims is the answer. To begin with, have them provide restitution to the victims, when that is possible. But, let it go beyond that. Let them serve their victims, doing chores for them. They need not always have face-to-face contact to do things that benefit the victims. Let them fix their cars, or do whatever other chores the victim might find he or she is in need of.

One advantage of such justice, is that the criminal would learn more about the victim, turning his or her heart to that person, and hopefully helping to bring remorse. I believe remorse can be a large factor in bringing the offender to realizing he or she has been doing wrong, and changing.