As these young adults are caught; they should have a big “L” tatooed on their foreheads that stands for “Loser”. Add “L’s” as needed when busted for their next heinous crime when they get out of prison in 2039. At least that’s when they should get out.
The corporal punishments of past times did have some merit. They involved pain which most people, even criminals prefer to avoid. The pain, although quite intense, was over in a matter of days or weeks—as opposed to months or years of incarceration. The culprit could get along with his life pretty soon. It was cost-effective, again as opposed to feeding and housing an inmate. And branding was a way of letting everyone know what kind of person one was dealing with. A ‘T’ on the forehead let you know you were dealing with a thief.