Define The Role Of Forgiveness In Criminal Justice

What is forgiveness? The term, commonly seen as a religious act, has various viewpoints. Its level of importance is deemed subjective as each individual’s opinion varies from one to the other. Mankind’s heavy debate on the subject is visible from multiple platforms such as novels, music, and movies. While one medium may deem it very important, another may see it as an unnecessary action. The standardized definition of forgiveness is “to pardon an offense or an offender” (“Forgive”). However, such a simple definition truly undermines how important and necessary forgiveness is. Forgiveness is an action created by choice. Likewise, choosing to not forgive an offender is also the result of a choice. The actions that result from these choices produce opposite outcomes. While one may lead an individual down a path of peace and prosperity, the other will lead an individual down a path of anger and resentment. While forgiveness may just be a simple action, its importance extends beyond as its action carries unforeseen effects. Forgiveness is important because it maintains personal relationships, conserves the functioning society in which they are conceived, and sustains one’s own health.
It is common sense that everyone would like a healthy relationship with one another. However, a healthy relationship cannot exist without forgiveness. According to The Holy Bible, every individual born into the world was born a sinner (Psalm 51:5). Thus so, people are bound to mess up and make mistakes. This is where the importance of forgiveness comes in. If the human race is bound to mess up because of original sin, forgiveness is the only thing that allows them to right their wrongs. Without it, all of their relationships are doomed to fail. If one wishes to save a relationship, he must work to forgive his offender. If he is unlikely to forgive, he is likely to have unhealthy relationships -- if a single relationship at