I don’t think that’s the most charitable interpretation of the parent’s comment

It's certainly a harsh response, but I legitimately don't know what "end prison" is supposed to mean.

Even if you use lighter measures for most crimes, focus on rehab, and get rid of cells, prison's still prison. How are you going to lock up nobody?

Harsh? It’s a useless, knee jerk, response.

Other countries seem to manage with a vanishingly smaller percentage of prisoners and without the dehumanization the US routinely employs. So yes, maybe try ending it; it’s not clear the other extreme is any worse and it’s certainly cheaper. One of those “just build permanent houses” moments.

> Harsh? It’s a useless, knee jerk, response.

It's no more useless than the post it's responding to.

> it’s not clear the other extreme is any worse

What a bad way to plan things.

What percentage of prisoners fit that description? Or even that if violent offenders?

I think few people would argue that those classes of law breakers are allowed off the hook.