[chmod775]

> Examples of these closer societies might be helpful

Pretty much all of Europe.

The US are often take as an example of an exceptionally individualistic society - in every sense of the word. It's also one of the most punitive countries in the world (the most punitive by some metrics). It's really not hard to find places that are both closer to the other side of the spectrum and less punitive. Drop a pin on a map.

[hardlianotion]

Look. I am not an American and your answer doesn’t tell me much. A name of a country that you think is somehow representative of the international mainstream and the features of their justice/penal system that are an improvement would help me understand your point better.

[deaddodo]

Norway, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Austria, etc. Pick one. Compare them.

Or ask something specific, no one here is going to give you a full run down of every European nation's penal system along with the US one for you to compare and contrast.

[KptMarchewa]

Scandinavia is not "all of Europe".

[chmod775]

Correct.