Nobody is born a criminal it is circumstances which turn a person into a criminal. Which qualities should the authorities have, to deal with criminals, so that they become a better human being?
Answers
Nelson Mandela very rightly said “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” His views have much substance in them. No one is born criminal; it is the circumstances that make one so. Researchers have found some psychological reasons such as, exploitation, injustice, disturbed childhood, etc that pushed people to become criminal.
In the context of ‘The Bishop’s Candlestick’, we come face to face with the similar example. As the play unfolds in front of us, the audience comes to know the convict in his past was a normal promising man who had a wife. Owing to bad economy of his country, he had to steal a loaf of bread for his ill wife. The cruel society had no sympathy and pity for him! Instead of sympathizing with him, the police arrested him and tried him in a court. Even the cruel judge did not hesitate passing such a harsh sentence against him. He was treated like a beast for such a minor and pardonable offence. He was beaten, fed on filth, and tortured. His wife died in his absence that turned him into a criminal. If the society (the police, the judge, and the authorities) had treated him considerately he would not have become a criminal. This is not just the story of the convict; the same applies to all the criminals.
Criminals deserve sympathy, understanding and psychological approach. And of course they deserve chances to reform themselves. The bishop was absolutely right in treating the convict sympathetically and considerately. What the society must have done, he did it and saved one soul from total perdition.The authorities while dealing with criminals must show understanding, humanity, empathy, forbearance, compassion, and mercy. If these qualities would have been shown since the courts were started, there would have been less criminals in the world.