Hastur, the busy old monkey... it has a nice ring to it.

I know so many more people who have been to prison than I used to. Some even reform.

To me, the amazing thing is that our prisons are so populated and at the same time usually one has to mess up a LOT before getting a prison term. Criminals are often given many chances and charges are often reduced. That adds up to a not very pretty picture of a significant part of our society.

but our taxes would be lower.

While I don't agree with Chinese summary executions, especially of political prisoners, I do think that we should use the death penalty more in this country. For instance, today they convicted a former police dispatcher for killing the wife of her ex-lover. It was cold blooded, pre-meditated murder. Part of the proof was testimony from her girlfriend, who helped her plan it. I think that she definitely should have gotten the death penalty, but she only got life in prison.
For those interested in reading the srdid details, here's the link.

I think Chain gangs are great! I remember as a kid seeing the local jail gangs working at the county parks. I knew then and there that I didn't want to go to jail.