[jacquesm]

The whole idea of a punitive system is broken at the foundation. Jail is not there to remove people from the pool (though in some cases that is a happy side effect), it is there to rehabilitate. In extreme cases this means people will never be released. But executing them makes 'us' just as bad as 'them'.

[Jtsummers]

It should be there to rehabilitate, because (EDIT: in large part, there are other reasons) ultimately the vast majority of the incarcerated will be released back into society.

Unfortunately, the US has long since decided that punishment is the purpose, that these people are getting what they deserve. It's a very frustrating culture to be surrounded by.

[alphapapa]

> Jail is not there to remove people from the pool, it is there to rehabilitate.

According to whom?

> But executing them makes 'us' just as bad as 'them'.

So you're saying that, for example, the state executing a mass murderer is just as bad as mass murder?

[Jtsummers]

According to much of the Western world.

And even if you don't accept that, just consider: most crimes aren't murder. They don't get people sent away for life, but for a period of 1-a few years.

They will be released back into society. If we do not rehabilitate them, we can expect recidivism from either failing to counter the errant impulses, exposure to similar or worse criminal elements while incarcerated, or failure to reenter society (due to ostracism, failure to adapt to changes, lack of social structure like family and friends). We are literally creating the problem by failing to rehabilitate criminals, and instead focusing on "punishing" them.

[alphapapa]

There is much to unpack in this topic, but I'll just point out that the idea that its purpose must be singular, one of punishment or rehabilitation, is a false dichotomy.