Did you ever think, even for a moment, that melachroming might actually be a good solution to the problems of our criminal justice system? What are other examples, both in the book and in the present, of laws or policies that sacrifice individual freedom for the collective good? When are such policies justified, and when do they go too far?
By way of background: In 1980 about half a million Americans were incarcerated; today about 2.3 million are, and almost 5 million are on probation. During this time violent crime has stayed the same or even been reduced but public policy has changed - such as minimum sentencing, "three strikes" laws and reducing the availability of early parole. Now, almost three-quarters of new admissions to state prisons are for non-violent crimes.