For the victim and society, punishment must serve goals such as restitution, deterrence, retribution and protection. Imprisonment does not serve these functions. And it obviously does no good for the inmate. On the contrary, prison inhibits and limits man's potential, destroys families and breeds bitterness, anger, insensitivity and eventual recidivism. Accordingly, Man must use all resources available to fulfill this obligation.
Imprisonment inherently limits a person's mobility and ability to function.
Accordingly, it appears inconsistent for G-d to charge man with obligations and at the same time prevent him from fulfilling them. Although the Torah does not endorse the use of prisons as a viable punishment, Torah law imposes an obligation on Jews to obey the law of the land in which they reside, particularly when the government of that land respects human rights and believes in the betterment, freedom and growth of their inhabitants. Accordingly, following the axiom that everything in creation is for a purpose, we must find meaning and purpose in prison to the extent possible. Examining the extant forms of imprisonment in the Torah, one that most closely parallels the concept of punitive incarceration is the penal colonies established in the Cities of Refuge. We may find and develop some humane and beneficial aspects of imprisonment from the Torah's rules and regulations for this environment.