Punishment Should Not Take Away Our Humanity

Prison welfare is an intriguing topic of discussion. I know this is the kind of question that many people will be quick to answer, "No way, criminals do not deserve this or that," but then I had to think and rethink about this and had a positive thought at the end.

I am aware that most of the inmates languishing in prison are hardened criminals, while some are not, but in everything, I will share my thoughts on the inmates being allowed to enjoy the same healthcare benefits that law-abiding citizens do enjoy.Now remember, to take care of the health needs of these inmates, it will be fine from people's tax money, and we might wonder why someone who committed a hard crime should be treated well in the first place. No doubt, I understand the feeling, and anyone can frown at it initially. I am also aware that some citizens who are working hard, hustling for daily bread, also find it so hard to treat themselves in the hospital due to lack of money, yet no one is coming through for them.

Some people even have to sell their property or even get a loan just to get treated. So imagine hearing that criminals are receiving health treatments and other random citizens are finding it hard to get healthcare; it will be a very unfair treatment. But let's look at it from another angle. Being a prisoner doesn't mean the person is no longer a human being. Someone who committed a crime and is receiving punishments for it is already facing a lack of freedom, but he should still enjoy his human rights.

If an inmate is severely ill, I think he or she should receive healthcare; there's no point leaving him or her to die because he committed a crime in the past. I think he still has the right to basic health care. I personally think prison is a correction center, and it's meant to correct the heads of some inmates who had lived a bad life prior to finding themselves in the prison. Some of them used to come out and be a better individual; some complete their service and start mixing up with others in the society.

So imagine living with illness. Imagine neglecting their health as long as the sickness remains. What then do we plan to achieve? As long as those in charge don't see prisoners as a top priority for receiving health care but rather treat health care as a general privilege and basic need, then it's fine.

I will only agitate if all attention is shifted to taking care of the inmates, but as long as every citizen receives equal rights in terms of health care, then it's great; no one should be neglected. And we should also remember that not all inmates over there actually committed crimes, so imagine being very ill before you get trial and discovering you are innocent?

We can actually enforce punishments without losing our humanity.

This post is in response to the Hive Learners community prompt on the topic titled "PRISON WELFARE".

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