Jail time.. waste of time.

Why do we put people in Jail?

It seems like an obvious question, but it is an important one and it is more nuanced that initially meets the eye. What is the concept of justice? Is it for revenge, to placate the victims? To protect the public or property? To 're-educate' criminals? Is it to act as a deterrent? If so, just to deter people harming others or harming themselves too (it is illegal not to wear a seatbelt in most countries, even when it is only you in the car)? Is it to punish people that society frowns apon? Is it all these things? The law clearly punishes for both intent (eg conspiricy to murder) and consequence (eg death by dangerous driving).

We put people in jail, because of the crimes they did or the laws that each of them broke. What we seize to realize is what happens after the criminal is caught in the act, and sent to jail. It's nothing but a cycle. When civilians arrive at the court houses, they're treated like complete dirt, even if not found guilty yet. But that's just the beginning. When convicted of a crime, they are sent to jail.. in other terms a hell hole. The point of jails should be to help educate the criminals and try to teach them what the right thing to do is. Instead, they don't do anything but lock them up; Expecting them to learn for themselves, which isn't reality. When sent out to the real world again, most repeat the mistakes they did because they were never told that it was wrong otherwise. Jails should be more concerned about educating the public and making sure that crime stays off our streets, rather then talking smack about each and every one of the inmates.