Prisons are arguably less important to society than education (since it represents the failing of citizens being productive members of society). However, prison expenditures were increasing three times faster than education from 1990 to 2016 [1]. Much of it going to corporately run prisons.

And given the marijuana legalization trend as of late, I really don't believe that people see the value of locking people up we are angry at. People we're afraid of, sure, that's a different story. But a non-violent marijuana offense shouldn't get a 15 year sentence.

Let's be clear, government should control the market, not the other way around.

[1]https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/07/the-s...

I’d say it is important to lock up those that hurt society

But I agree that in most countries prisons are true hellholes

In the US laws mandate certain level of care, and government prefer to pay someone else than handle the costs: unions, pensions for those prison staff

> I’d say it is important to lock up those that hurt society.

That's part of how we got here. Prison is just one option. Fines and orders to curtail freedom is another. E.g. Court ordered monetary restitution and loss of one driver's license are examples.

Here's a short version of how we got here:

1. Make more crimes to felonies subject to incarceration.

2. Imprison more people.

3. Remove felon's right to vote to make change to the current system.

4. Build more prisons

5. Privatize the prisons because government needs so much more of them now.

6. The prison lobby now argues for more harsher sentences.

7. GOTO 1.

> Let's be clear, government should control the market, not the other way around.

Missed this one in my earlier comment

Wow