by Catie Martin

Created on: August 01, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

Our legal system needs to be reformed. American jails are filled with people who have committed non-violent crimes. Money from tax payers is being used to take care of a their living expenses. Law breakers who spread computer viruses could be given the opportunity to do community service jobs. A vision for change has the potential of becoming reality if we concentrate on the concept of rehabilitation rather than the idea of punishment. In some ways society can be protected from computer virus writers and be compensated for the problems that resulted. Those who create and distribute viruses should be given a chance to use what they know to be a benefit to others who they have wronged.

Programs providing rehabilitation might be a much better choice than jail. The criminal then would be given an option to do community service. The hours of service would be dependent on the severity of the crime. They could be trained to be a part of the country's work force with computers set up to mentors who would make sure that they were doing their jobs. A tracking device would be placed on them so that these community service prisoners wouldn't escape. What ever the criminal was talented in could be used as a way to make money to compensate the ones that were hurt. Those people who thought it was fun to write viruses would be having their freedom taken away for a certain length of time and hard at work to pay for their unwise choices.

Various rehabilitation centers could be staffed with policemen, counselors and private individuals. The criminal's experience and strengths would be examined. Those with special talents might benefit others by engaging in various professions. Artists, musicians, writers and teachers would work closely with the rehabilitation centers. Some mentor jobs would provide opportunities at home to give disabled people and individuals who find it impossible to travel to work each day ways to make a living.

Computer virus writers do not have to continue their destructiveness and be our enemies. Surely their actions have caused much damage yet with the proper guidance they may become more friendly and even a benefit to others. People who do bad things do not have to continue down the road of hatred. Jail stays often are not conducive to rehabilitation.

There is hope for those who want to accept the consequences of their wrong actions. Society can give people opportunities to make the changes that are needed to live as law abiding citizens. If we make the decision to look at cyberspace virus writers with compassion and ask our great Creator for the guidance to make reformations perhaps this proposal will one day result in many success stories.

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