The following is my opinion on the three subjects in this post: jails drugs and "games" for convicted criminals.
Jails, I believe that jails should come in three flavors, minor, major and death row. Minor jails are for, first time, NON VIOLENT, offenders, maybe tougher than the jails as they exist today, but basically a place to "pay your debt" without becoming a love object, plenty of counseling and all the rest of the rehab deemed necessary by those whom believe that this is necessary.
Major jails are for repeat offenders and violent offenders, it would be run similar to a military prison but stricter and under military ("your bellybutton belongs to me now, Maggot") NOT civilian rules, each inmates offense and sentence would be displayed above their cell doors for all to see. One hot meal a day, no gyms, no TV, no conjugal visits, no frills whatsoever. Every effort would be made to make this place a living hell without physical brutality. The object is that NO one ever wishes to get back in here to be protected from the rigors of everyday life.
Death row is pretty self explanatory.
You may note that there is no facility for lifers (I see no rhyme or reason to keep a Charles Manson around), I am personally torn between "Devils Island" and no sentences over 10 years. The reason being if someone serves 10 years in a major prison and wishes to commit another crime then they need a level 3 sentence, no repeat major jails inmates.
Drugs: I do not advocate legalizing drugs but I do believe that the problem will become very minor if we take out the profit. Spend the "war on drugs" money to manufacture them and give them away to those who are addicted. We should not give them to people who are not users or people who just want to try them this one time, but any addict could run into any local clinic and get a free fix whenever they needed one. Would this work? I don't know but it sure would take the profit out of the equation for the current manufactures. No more profit in getting new users hooked. I can just see the civil rights people crying about the loss of jobs now

Gladiatorial combat for death row inmates: Well, I think the pay per view rights would prolly pay for the whole prison system.
All the above is just my opinion, no more or less valid than anyone else's,
I could be wrong, in some cases I hope I am wrong.
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OhNooo
smile awhile