Crime & LawDiscussion (Both Views + Opinion)
IELTS Essay: Rehabilitation vs Punishment (Band 9 vs 6.5)
In short
Below is a full Band 9 model answer to this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the same question written at Band 6.5, and a criterion-by-criterion breakdown of exactly what separates them — so you can see what to change in your own writing. Then check your essay with the free tool.
The question
Some people think that the main purpose of prisons should be to punish those who have committed crimes, while others believe that prisons should focus on rehabilitating offenders. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
How to approach a Discussion (Both Views + Opinion) question
A discussion question asks you to do two distinct things: present both views fairly, and give your own opinion. Devote one body paragraph to each view, then make sure your position is clear — either woven through or stated plainly in the conclusion. The classic mistake is discussing both sides but forgetting to give an opinion at all, which directly costs Task Response marks.
The plan
- 01Introduction: introduce the debate over the purpose of prisons and state that rehabilitation should be the dominant aim.
- 02Body 1: present the case for punishment - proportionate justice for victims and deterrence for others.
- 03Body 2: present and support the case for rehabilitation - it addresses root causes and lowers reoffending, so it takes precedence.
- 04Conclusion: acknowledge the value of punishment but reaffirm that a reforming system serves society better.
Band 9 model answer
Opinion is sharply divided over what prisons are ultimately for. One camp regards them primarily as instruments of punishment, a means of making wrongdoers pay for their crimes, whereas another views them as places where offenders can be reformed and prepared for a lawful life. Having weighed both perspectives, I am convinced that rehabilitation should be the dominant aim.
Advocates of punishment argue that justice demands proportionate retribution: a society that fails to impose meaningful penalties risks appearing to condone the harm done to victims. A custodial sentence, on this reasoning, both satisfies the public's sense of fairness and deters others tempted to break the law. There is undeniable force here, for a justice system perceived as lenient can quickly forfeit the confidence of the very communities it is meant to protect.
Nevertheless, I find the case for rehabilitation more compelling. Punishment alone does nothing to alter the circumstances or mindset that produced the crime, so an offender released after years of idle confinement is often no less likely to reoffend. By contrast, prisons that offer education, therapy and vocational training address these root causes directly, transforming inmates into people capable of contributing to society. Since the ultimate measure of any penal system is whether it reduces future victims, an approach that lowers reoffending must surely take precedence over one that merely inflicts suffering.
In conclusion, although punishment satisfies a legitimate demand for justice and deterrence, I believe rehabilitation deserves greater emphasis. The two need not be mutually exclusive, but a system that reforms offenders ultimately serves society better than one preoccupied with retribution.
The same question at Band 6.5
There is a big discussion about the real purpose of the prison. Some people think that prison must punish the criminals for the bad things they did, but other people believe that prison should help the criminals to change and become better. In this essay I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, many people say that the main job of prison is to punish. They think that if a person do a crime, he must pay for it, and this is fair for the victim. The victim and the family will feel that they get the justice. Also, when the punishment is hard, other people will be afraid and they will not do the same crime. So punishment can protect the society and it show that the law is strong.
On the other hand, other people believe that prison should help the criminal to change. They say that many criminals do crime because they have problem in their life, like no job or no education. If the prison give them a training and a good advice, they can start a new life and they will not do crime again. In my opinion, I agree more with this idea, because punishment alone does not solve the real problem.
In conclusion, some people think prison is only for punishment and other people think it is for rehabilitation. I believe that both are important, but helping the criminals to change is more useful because it stop them from doing crime again in the future.
What separates them, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Band 9 | Band 6.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Covers both purposes of prison fairly and states a clear opinion ('rehabilitation should be the dominant aim'), even conceding 'There is undeniable force here' to the opposing side. | Addresses both views and gives an opinion, but ideas such as 'punishment alone does not solve the real problem' stay general and undeveloped. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Cohesion emerges from the argument itself ('Nevertheless, I find the case for rehabilitation more compelling', 'By contrast', 'Since the ultimate measure of any penal system'). | Relies on mechanical markers ('On one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Also', 'In conclusion') and lists points. |
| Lexical Resource | Precise, flexible collocation such as 'proportionate retribution', 'forfeit the confidence of the very communities' and 'idle confinement'. | Adequate but repetitive high-frequency words: 'prison', 'people' and 'punish' recur throughout. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Wide range of accurate complex structures, e.g. 'an offender released after years of idle confinement is often no less likely to reoffend'. | Mostly simple sentences with errors ('if a person do a crime', 'it show', 'have problem', 'the prison give') that do not block meaning. |
Examiner's note
The Band 9 response weighs both purposes of imprisonment fairly before committing to a clear, well-supported opinion, all expressed in flexible lexis and controlled complex grammar. The Band 6.5 answer addresses both views and states an opinion, but general ideas, repetitive vocabulary, mechanical 'on one hand / on the other hand' linking, and errors like 'the prison give' hold it at the middle of the scale.
Vocabulary from the Band 9 answer
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| instruments of punishment | tools or means used to punish people |
| proportionate retribution | punishment that matches the seriousness of the crime |
| condone the harm done to victims | appear to accept or excuse the damage caused to victims |
| a custodial sentence | a period of imprisonment ordered by a court |
| forfeit the confidence of communities | lose the trust of the public |
| idle confinement | being locked up with nothing productive to do |
| address these root causes | deal with the fundamental reasons behind something |
| take precedence over | be treated as more important than something else |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give my own opinion in a discussion essay?
Yes. A 'discuss both views and give your own opinion' prompt requires a clear personal stance, not a neutral summary. State it in the introduction, reinforce it in the conclusion, and make it obvious throughout which view you favour.
Do both views need equal space?
Both must be presented fairly and accurately, but they need not be identical in length. It is natural to develop the view you agree with a little further, as long as the opposing view is still explained properly.
How do I avoid contradicting myself?
Decide your position before you start writing and keep it consistent. Present the opposing view objectively without endorsing it, and use the conclusion to restate the side you supported rather than introducing a new opinion.