Detaining People Who Commit Crimes

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I have had the unfortunate experience of having to help a young person who has had legal problems. The court system in the U.S. is definitely much different from what one sees on television! It is rather boring actually. But I did find a common theme from those being convicted - I heard it over and over - lack of education and poverty. Given that most American taxpayers are in to the ideology of punishment over reform - we have a system where punishment and more punishment rules the order of the day. Not only are sentences of jail time, prison time, and probation time imposed. So are financial costs - such as paying for the court's time, restitution (this one I support), paying for probation and for jail time. Now the young person I was helping also had jail time. What they don't tell you about going to jail: 1. You can't take anything with you - you have to BUY everything at the jail - things like combs, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap. 2. You are required to have a blood and urine test - each cost you - the detainee - $10. Then there is a processing fee - whatever that is - $10. Oh then the detainee is given a debit card to buy those personal items that he or she couldn't bring with - the debit card costs $2 per day. 3. Jail costs $65 per day (I can stay at the local Holiday Inn much cheaper. 4. If you don't have the correct tee shirts, underwear, shoes, etc., you won't be allowed to use them in jail and hence have to ask someone on the outside to purchase these for you. Add to this the probation time - and a charge for each time the convicted person meets with this officer. Then the offense is put online for all to see - to be viewed up to 15 years. You want to know about your friend, neighbor, co-worker? All you need is name and date of birth and you can pull up his or her record. Is the person indigent and unable to pay the bill issued by the county and the courts? No problem - a judgment is put out against you and reported to the credit bureau so that your credit is totally ruined. Great plan for the minimum wage earner with kids - trying to make enough money just to pay rent and buy food. I know a lot of taxpayers think that the "criminals" should pay for the costs - why should the taxpayer? But I think it is actually our responsibility as members of a community to pay for schools, jails, courts, water, street cleaning, social services, etc. The whole community benefits when we all pitch in. Besides that, I noticd in the jail that the people who were paying the expenses were the family members - who were "stuck" paying or else. I began to wonder - who is truly the "thief" in this scenario. Why can't we be more like the Netherlands - where the crime rate is low and the focus of the criminal justice system is on reform - not on incarcaration? Okay, I said my 2 cents worth. What do you think and why?