Counterpoint: A 17 year old kid without a fully formed brain shot into car, a horrific, vile act.

He spends 8 years, half of his life prior to his heinous act in prison.

Assuming the conservative position is not emotionally driven, looking at data and numbers, is the purpose of prison is to reform individuals to reintroduce them into society?

Additionally, it costs $106,000 a year to house inmates in the state. From a fiscal perspective it is in the best interest of the state to get prisoners rehabilitated and reintroduced to society, as well as reduce recidivism.

Preventing others from going to jail and knowing how to keep people from going back in, knowing how to get people out of jail is all in the best interest of all. Hiring this person, assuming they’re repentant and reformed, could prevent crime and do more to help society than if they just rot at $106k/year.