Even more likely, is that it isn't 'designed' at all, but rather cobbled together by disparate interests that are variously trying to appear tough on crime, sca

Even more likely, is that it isn't 'designed' at all, but rather cobbled together by disparate interests that are variously trying to appear tough on crime, scam the system of as much money as possible, advance their careers, etc. None of these interests probably give a shit if the system ends up rehabilitating anyone, nor if it creates criminals, because neither outcome affects them in any material way (that is readily apparent to them, anyway).