All criminals are not necessarily wicked. Sometimes social conditions lead to crime.

The government should take appropriate steps to change such conditions. Criminals should be given a chance to repent .Those who get imprisoned should have their sentences reduced if they behave well in the prison. People do change and we should treat them accordingly of how they live today. Punishment serves as a deterrent to crime and a shield for the innocent. Punishment works to reinforce the norms and the lack of punishment would lead to the break up of existing norms. How people are punished should depend on the crime and if it really hurt anyone or had the potential to. Excessive punishment for a small crime will definitely fill the convict with despair and hopelessness. People should show understanding and wisdom in judging individuals. Hate the crime and not the criminal.