[randomacct8162]

No, not at all.

The thing I think most law-abiding/normal people don't understand about the types of people in prisons is that they are almost exclusively habitual offenders.

Even in the US, which is heavily punitive instead of rehabilitative, you have to have run-ins with the law a number of times before you are sentenced to serve time, rather than probation or a halfway-house etc.

From my experiences, ~90% of people I saw during my time in jail and prison were coming in and out, constantly being arrested. There's no desire on their part to change, they're a lost cause.

For the tiny handful of people that genuinely do want to have a normal life and not go back to prison, our justice system is awful. No, solitary is not good for that.

You need supportive + rehabilitative programs. They won't solve everything, but for the small number of people who want to get out of the system, they need an honest-to-god out and chance at living.

[ROTMetro]

I don't think that's as true anymore with the fentanyl stuff. I saw a lot of ex-marines that got hooked on pain pills because their bodies were beat up, moved on to fentanyl, started dealing to support habit, and hatch a 17 year bit because someone ODd. Lots of first time in trouble people caught up in fentanyl.

[ericmcer]

How do you balance punitive with rehabilitative? I have little experience in this but it seems like for a non-violent offender or a victimless crime the experience should be almost entirely rehabilitative, whereas for violent offenders there should be some kind of punishment. Both to discourage the behavior and as therapy for the victims.

The justice system doesn't really offer me any protection other than vengeance on someone who hurts or kills me or a loved one. There is some comfort knowing that someone might at least hesitate due to fear of consequences.

[alistairSH]

The thing I think most law-abiding/normal people don't understand about the types of people in prisons is that they are almost exclusively habitual offenders.

While that is true, there are classes of crime that are automatic felonies with mandatory prison time. Things like assaulting a police officer. Which doesn't have to be throwing a punch - simply resisting handcuffs is sufficient for the felony assault charge if the officer is mad enough and friendly with the prosecutor.