Conclusion

Our criminal justice system should maximize social improvement and minimize deprivation of liberty. Rehabilitation, which does not require imprisonment, is the ultimate goal. If this is not possible, prison is the last resort; such limited confinement is properly supported by a moral and utilitarian necessity to incapacitate. As such, our criminal justice system should afford every individual a right to full rehabilitative efforts. Only the few incapable of positive change “belong” in prison. To do otherwise would harm us all.