The Jewish Take on Prison.

The Torah does not believe in incarceration for punitive purposes. Instead, in the case of a person who stole and cannot repay, the Torah rules that he be sold as a servant for six years, and the money is used to pay back the victim.

The Torah believes in rehabilitation, which does not happen in prison. It therefore mandates that the thief be brought into a home, and that his own needs and the needs of his family be provided for.

Allow the (non dangerous) criminal to remain within society and to contribute to helping the victim, and you help both the victim and the sinner.