[Thane_Banquo]

The Europeans are angry not because the criminals are being mistreated, but because the Americans feel the need to punish criminals at all.

In the European mind, punishment is outdated and draconian. When someone does something wrong, you talk to him about his feelings to try to understand why he did what he did.

[Polybius]

In the European mind, punishment is outdated and draconian.

Like an alcoholic that has given up booze, the Europeans are reacting to the gross excesses in their past history. Since Europe was not responsible enough to use punishment, they feel that a punishment Prohibition should be instituted around the Globe.

[AFreeBird]

The Europeans are angry not because the criminals are being mistreated, but because the Americans feel the need to punish criminals at all.

One might suppose that they are trying to make up for a few of their own inventions on prisoner welfare:

Iron Maiden
Rack
Gillotine
Drawing & Quartering
Stocks
Crucifixtion
etc, etc, etc....

[dennybabyboy-fitzy]

Yes, you talk like a person that knows (nothing!). You spout what you have read or have been told, not what you have experienced> And that makes you a typical 'John Doe' American