Agree, but justice systems are different: Some countries (like ex-USSR) also practice _punishing_ for a crime in prison -- further humiliating and abusing conv

Agree, but justice systems are different: Some countries (like ex-USSR) also practice _punishing_ for a crime in prison -- further humiliating and abusing convicted person. Don't know if there's a reason (if ever were), but some people argue that it helps to reduce future crimes by other people ("don't do that, or you'll get to prison, you know what they do there"). Can't tell if it's supported by statistics. In other countries, like Norway, justice systems are the other way around -- besides removing criminals from society, they also bear a job to re-socializing criminals -- treating them humane and helping them to find a job after the prison. These other responsibilities affect answer to your question.