[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.