[Protagoras]

If the state only incarcerated those who are judged to be a danger to others, there would be plenty of room to keep the bad guys locked up. And if people who are locked up were sentenced to HARD time, but shorter, it would be more effective and less costly, IMO.

I would also suggest a shift in emphasis to recompense to victims instead of "paying a debt to society". No one should be allowed to get away with crime by just serving time. Serving time should be in addition to having to make recompense.

[Kerberos]

"And if people who are locked up were sentenced to HARD time, "

I have often thought that prisons could benefit from being run more like military boot camps, but liberals seem to think that would violate their(prisoners) civil rights.