Prisons as a Proportional Response to Crime

Prisons were initially designed to ensure a proportional response to crime and prevent violent escalations. However, in today's world, the concept of 'an eye for an eye' seems outdated and ineffective, especially given the harsh conditions and human rights abuses that often occur in prisons. The book 'The Idea of Prison Abolition' argues that imprisonment should only be justified when milder penalties are insufficient to control crime adequately. This perspective advocates for the minimum amount of punishment necessary to protect society and questions the harshness and long-term consequences of current prison systems.