[Boothy]

Originally Posted by Omah

Both are expensive solutions, especially prison, where, additionally, the incarcerated obtain a "further education" in crime, which they will need since a criminal conviction will make them totally unemployable - in either case, the convicted and their families will continue to receive monetary and other benefits courtesy of the tax-payer .....

Both true points, however, they're both better alternatives than simply taking away their benefits.

They won't have a house to live in. Leave them homeless, poor job prospects and feeling even more like outcasts than they currently do. I fail to see any long term positives.