Look I'm not saying I agree with it. I am just telling you the way other people (not you and me) are experiencing reality. Why they think they are doing good by locking people up.
Some people really needs locking up, most people in jail just need psychiatric help. I've seen your cop programs. The way police are trained to interact with the public is guaranteed to trigger 80% plus of people with mental health issues. I bet I would catch a case there if I had to make any contact with the police. I'm bloody grey, no one ever stopped me to ask me to identify myself in all of my life yet. I'm a very peaceful guy, well not verbally, but I don't get into fights and stuff.