Prisons breed crime Prisons are universities of crime that help create more offending by throwing similarly-minded rejects from society together to reinforce criminal attitudes and behaviours. Nearly 80 percent of inmates re-offend within a short time. Flogging offenders doesn't work either. South Africa introduced corporal punishment to try to change children's behaviour. It became a much more violent society.
Violence makes people angry and resentful and ready to hit someone else.
Violence breeds violence. Of course we need prisons for those who will not or cannot change their behaviour. It recognises the needs of the victims, who are at present so often left out altogether, and creates an opportunity for them to confront the offender with the hurt they have caused, in a face to face meeting in a controlled and supportive environment. It puts a human face on the victim for the offender, which can be the first step to understanding, remorse and apology. Restorative Justice is tougher, and more demanding.