Colonial Americans to some extent agreed, but they were less sexist. They felt that no one should be in jail longer than necessary for a trial. Those acquitted would be released after trial. Those convicted would be punished quickly (whether a day in the stocks, a good lashing, or a drop on the end of a rope). Keep someone behind bars for years, like an animal? That would be both an expensive waste and a cruel (and thus immoral) punishment.
Yes. This author makes a good point, without even realizing she’s making it.
Today we deal with criminals by putting them into long-term storage. Climate-controlled storage, compete with big screen TVs, arts and crafts, exercise equipment, circle-jerk counseling and rehab sessions.
These people have a debt to society. One they should be repaying.
So time to shut down the prisons, move these convicts (regardless of gender) into barracks style living (once they’ve been lo-jacked) and put them to WORK. Put the more violent ones out into the woods somewhere far, far from humanity and have them plant trees. Or build logging roads. The non-violent ones can be kept closer in, maybe get a little work release but otherwise get ojt in practical skills (carpentry, seamstressing, plumbing, etc) they can apply when their time is done.