MOR - I thought the purpose of prison was to punish rule-breakers. Isn't it only a relatively recent idea that criminal penalties should primarily serve to protect society?
In western society, I think we're at a crossroads of the justice system - founded on "break the rules, get punished, hopefully criminals learn to behave", but now gradually moving towards "hurt someone else, government seeks to protect victim, oh well I suppose criminals have to be moved somewhere else, hopefully criminals learn to behave".
Interesting philosophical difference.
Sorry about the thread creep - I'll try to behave in future...
O8