Punishing criminals is not about revenge! It's about preventing pepole to commit crimes (pepole doesn't avoid doing things just because it's wrong, but what if they might go to jail for it...), and if they've commited a crime, reajust him back to society. Or at least scare himenought not to commit crimes again. If he got five years, and he's scared enought after three years, then why not release him? Forceing him to sit off the last two years just because won't do anyone any good (especially not those tax payers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />). But as you say, good behaviour should be rewarden in other ways. But that doesn't change the fact, pusnish criminals isn't about revenge, it's about scaring pepole from doing crimes, and if that isn't possible, then lock em up for good so they can't harm the 'good' side of society.
Übereil
