If my local politicians are any indication, the ones who were in office during the 'tough-on-crime' era, particularly of the 80's and 90's, tend to speak as if

If my local politicians are any indication, the ones who were in office during the 'tough-on-crime' era, particularly of the 80's and 90's, tend to speak as if the convicted are reprobate, can never fully 'repay' their victims, and are destined for a life of crime. I suspect some of this rhetoric bled into their perceptions of the point of criminal penalties, leading to much more retributive and much less restorative/redemptive sentencing practices and laws. But it's hard for me to separate that all from the general Calvinist/religious culture of the area where I live.