I’m extremely soft on crime because I believe that countries which have adopted this stance have reduced levels of crime. As a Canadian, this is clear as day to

I’m extremely soft on crime because I believe that countries which have adopted this stance have reduced levels of crime. As a Canadian, this is clear as day to me just by comparing the US to Canada. It’s annoying when talking to people who disagree because their argument is in essence that I don’t understand the concept of revenge or that my (perceived) permissiveness is a character fault. They also foolishly believe that maximum penalties act as a deterrent. If someone commits a serious crime and the punishment is profoundly life altering then that person is just so much more likely to become violent, kill witnesses, try their luck at a high speed chase, whatever. Having a parent in jail statistically raises the likelihood of delinquency. Growing up in poverty can feel like it’s own type of prison. It’s just so obvious to me why the crime rate is so high. But people who support the death penalty (as an example) are just so firmly stuck in the nature vs nurture mentality. “So you think that someone who rapes and kills children should walk away?” They always fall on this line as though people like me just simply don’t get it when from the way I see it, it’s them who have blood lust for murder and they just don’t care at all to consider the systemic effect that their mentality has. “Soft on crime” is a generational investment so that the next batch of kids won’t be as fucked up as we are.