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Revenge is not what it is its retribution. Especially down in the South and out West in places. In Georgia you can get sentenced to hard labor and in the resent past to a chain gang. A lot of it has religious roots but many laws do too.

Recidivism is the biggest problem especially when something like 75% of inmates will be arrested again within 5 years.

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What's the difference between revenge and retribution?

Revenge is personal, whereas retribution is societal? They might be the same thing ! Still, it's an interesting point. Prison is revenge for the victims. You can also be retribution by society and the government. One is in response to an emotional desire, the other is a policy response. It's like you can punish your child to teach them a lesson, but not because you hate them.

Having the government do it also prevents blood feuds. If you exact revenge, the family might come back for revenge on you.

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