I got downvoted heavily for saying this, but let me clarify. The punishment regime currently in place in the US seems more like what a religious entity would do

I got downvoted heavily for saying this, but let me clarify. The punishment regime currently in place in the US seems more like what a religious entity would dole out: "You have sinned! 10 years in the purgatory for you!!". Instead of using a rational, science-based and outcome-based approach.