i wonder if it actually costs more to imprison those inmates than the value destruction they would've caused had they not been imprisoned. $70 billion is a massive amount that is just going down the drain, for next to no societal value. thats approx $350 per person per year!
There is societal value to housing criminals that pose a danger to society. I'm more than happy to have psychopaths locked away from my life. The question is how many of these people are actually dangerous, or would remain dangerous given some basic education and/or life support.
The vast majority of psychopaths are not criminals. A total disregard for the thoughts of others, a lack of empathy, can be an advantage. Bankers, lawyers, politicians, even some doctors display aspects of psychopathy.
When you are in hospital after a bad car crash you don't want to be treated by a Doctor who 'feels your pain'. You want that cold and calculating mind to take decisions based on facts rather than emotion. Most psychopaths find their niches.
