I don't see how building more prisons increases crime-rates.. It's more likely the other way around.

I'd like to hear an example from you, on what to do instead of putting people in prison?

(btw, I think this is a topic that should be in dark discussions?)

At the moment we say "because of your horrible crime we will protect society ... for 5 years ... after that we will magically trust you again".

Not at all.  When released, we place convicts on parole.  They are strictly monitored, given jobs, and have to sign in every night.  Don't follow the rules, and you go back to prison.  That makes it much harder to commit a crime.

As for driving people to insanity, I would have to ask for evidence.  I've never heard this before.

Prisons also don't get the government money.  Sure, there is some work that the prisoners do, but prisoners have to be clothed and fed.  There has to be many guards on duty all the time.  The building has to be inspected constantly.  It costs a heck of a lot of money.

Furthermore, electric shock treatment is not in wide use anymore.  Those who go to insane asylums are put there to keep them out of danger from themselves, because if they were left out on the street, they would kill themselves.

And finally, a large part of prisons are drug offenders.  Those who use or sell drugs.  I personally don't think this should be a crime.  But ignoring that, we should treat those who commit violent crimes (endangering others) and non-violent crimes differently.  We shouldn't throw a guy who likes to smoke up every once and a while in with a person who murdered 14 babies.  That just isn't right.

*Edited cause eye know spel write