[Lifetime]

This is sounding eerily like American History X.
And I agree with Donut, because he basically said what I was thinking. We are horrified and appalled by Taliban atrocities commited to its own citizens, and yet we complain about how doing the opposite violates our own personal agenda. There are many moral and ethical issues regarding to harsher punishments to criminals, and I'm willing to bet its because America has been a role model, an icon for freedom and humanity for the entire world. If you wish to dictate how other nations govern and punish their criminals, first show how its done!
I agree that criminals should not be given the luxuries they are afforded on behalf of the state that keeps them, and that when it comes to jail time as a deterrant to crime rather than an easy way out, it should be harder, more basic, and a hell of a lot more like a punishment. Perhaps the reason why America has so many repeat-offenders is because jail time is more lucrative than a hard, tough life on the streets or a decent, honest living.
Prisoners should be taught how to re-enter society in a productive fashion, but they should also be instilled with a fear of going back. Theres a bible verse that says that he who has been stealing must steal no more, but work with his hands that he might have something to offer his neighbours. I'd appreciate it if anyone could tell me the specific verse..