But surely their should be some dis-incentive for committing a crime?
Supposing their existed a "rehabilitation pill" and taking it instantly prevented someone from committing the same crime again. What if someone then killed your child or partner? Would you be happy for them to take the tablet and be immediately released?
You're misreading my statement. Part of the solution is betterment, but it's by far not the only part. The second major goal of prison is punishment (nb: not revenge), effectively deterrent. However, the punishment must be adequate to the crime committed and human. Making prison as cruel as possible does not serve that goal. The punishment consists in loosing your freedom, not in getting raped or tortured.
Btw: In such a future you're describing we surely have ways of preventing crimes just as effective as the pill that turns a murderer into a good member of society.
Some people here seem to be arguing there is no place for punishment at all. I think there is, but humane punishment. Not dumping people into a human shark tank.
Supposing their existed a "rehabilitation pill" and taking it instantly prevented someone from committing the same crime again. What if someone then killed your child or partner? Would you be happy for them to take the tablet and be immediately released?