That statement was more about the parent's attitude than the article in question - yes we need a deterrant for harassing witnesses because without it we cannot

That statement was more about the parent's attitude than the article in question - yes we need a deterrant for harassing witnesses because without it we cannot have a legal system. I don't think prison is the answer except when we decide that the person in question believes themselves above the law/is too great a risk. We do need some sort of means of deterrant and stripping one's liberty should be strong enough - to introduce someone into a enclosed society (prison) where rape, violence and drug abuse may as well be decriminalised seems too much for most crimes. People commit crimes because either a) they don't think they'll be caught, b) they don't care if they get caught or c) they're insane. People that respect the law rarely do so because of the threat of punishment.