American society has always been HIGHLY punitive with an almost non existent interest in actually solving a problem. Even the most "liberal" of us if you mention plugging the social/economic holes that lead to massive crime spikes get all

"Mayyybbeeee I guuueeeesssssss but like what you can't just NOT throw the book at them and ruin their life forever?!?! How else will they stop doing crime if we don't effectively take away their ability to earn a valid living via criminal charges?!?!"