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Good luck making that argument to the median voter. The entire conservative wing believes prisoners deserve torture (unless it’s them or their immediate family); half of the center-left is too busy projecting a “tough on crime” image to give much thought about improving conditions.

Even if you can prove a non-profit, non-funded program reduces recidivism, if it also happens to make prisoners’ lives marginally better in the process, that’s an immediate no.

I agree entirely, but a lot of people don't and just want to increase prison sentences and make prisons harsher.

There are plenty of people who oppose those, too, because it's time not spent making the prisoners feel bad.