People often think that's the case, because it kind of makes sense. But real world data suggest it doesn't work that way. In fact you are generally just making

People often think that's the case, because it kind of makes sense. But real world data suggest it doesn't work that way. In fact you are generally just making your problems worse. First and biggest problem is, that it turns small time crooks into hardcore criminals, because that's the only way to survive on the inside. So unless you never plan on releasing anyone out of prison, having bad prisons is not great idea. Second If prisons are so bad, it makes it more likely people will do whatever they can to stay out. There is big difference between spending 2 years doing some manual labor, having bad bed and bad food or being gang raped. And the lesion is not, no to do crime like you and I would hope, but to kill/intimidate witnesses etc.