I think that the criminals should not be punished as they are not born criminal. They become criminals due to the circumstances faced by them . A person does not commit a crime without any reason. The bible also says 'HATE THE SIN AND NOT THE SINNER '. So the criminals should not be given the punishment but the crime should be punished
One thing is clear - there are far too many people in American prisons. There are far too many 'criminals ' in prison despite the fact that they pose no significant threat to society. As a result - otherwise productive citizens are sitting in a jail cell costing taxpayers money to look after.
Despite this, there are many non-violent crimes which warrant jail time. Without this, the penalties for breaking the law might be so mild, that people will take calculated risks.
No man takes birth as a criminal. Their circumstances force them to do what their heart never wills. Their circumstances can be anything it can be due to poverty, ailments or shortage of food. As in the drama bishops candlesticks the convict steals to save his wife from suffering which he never wanted to do. But there was no way other than stealing. But after stealing as by his luck he was caught. And the punishment given to him was too big for his shoes. This was just an example. Imagine