So tell me why Norway has a lower criminal rate and lower recidivism rate with far more humane prisons?
Fewer assholes over there?
Prisoners should be forced to work, not workout or lounge around on our dime. Make them earn their keep.
And that technique has demonstrated that it works wonders. Oh wait, it hasn't. In fact, it has led to this very situation we are discussing, the 75% recidivism rate. So harsh prisons don't seem to work, otherwise second and third world nations would be crime free. Harsh penalties don't seem to work or Muslim nations that practice Sharia would be crime free.
How about this, we look at what appears to be working for ideas since the ones you propose are thoroughly discredited by empirical evidence.
Harsh? You claim that, not me. I said it should be harsh. Hard work for all inmates. If it was more unpleasant maybe they wouldn't be so eager to come back.
South American Prisons are about as harsh as you can get. Yet people still commit crimes. Chain gangs are a reality in the south and have been for generations. Yet crime did not evaporate. How much harsher can the punishment get than death at the hands of Sharia law? Yet not crime free.
Let's be honest. Rival drug gangs kill each other and don't get the pleasure or appeals or regulations. Yet people still join up and take their chances.
Everything you proposed is in practice today somewhere in the world. Yet there is no. Action that is crime free. Prison industry is active today and the workers get a buck or two a day for their labor. Hard work welding and operating metal presses, or doing a number of other jobs. Yet this labor doesn't dissuade anyone statistically speaking.
In those harsh prisons people join gangs to survive. Then they are members of the gangs when they get out and return to crime. A petty criminal leaves prison ready to rob, rape, or murder without any concern for the consequences. Life is defined as momentary pleasures.
Humans learn the lessons needed to survive. Babies learn that crying will get their diaper changed or their belly full. Children learn, and adults learn. Prisoners in cages learn how to survive in prison. They learn that if you are not the predator you are the prey. They learn that fear is the weapon and they use it.
This is that reality that you want to embrace with criminal cops. Why do you pretend it isn't the reality now? The system doesn't work as it is.