I believe imprisonment should be a last resort. Restitution for lesser crimes should be used more frequently. (and NO punishment for victimless crimes btw) For example let's say that you are involved in a theft. You then have to pay the person(s) or business etc that you stole from, in addition to the cost of the good/service you stole initially. Sending people to prison will potentially just indirectly fine the person you stole from through taxes. In addition to all of the negative impact on the offender whilst in prison. It usually just makes him/her a hardened criminal. A vicious cycle of "nobody will hire me since I'm a convict", "can't make an honest living, my old ways are all that's left."