It is possible to have penalty time rooms where offenders could have to stay for say 100 hours total within 30 days for say a shoplifting incident, or spend eight hours in jail for every hour they don’t, with hours spent in the 168 hours after arrest counting double, hours spent in the second week counting 150 percent, etc.
The offender might be required to opt in by spending at least eight hours in such a room within 72 hours of arrest.
This system would cut costs by removing the need for most trials, public defenders and jail medical care. It would also allow offenders to retain their legitimate jobs.
Gather them all up and put them on an Island where they can fish for their food....