Rehabilitation was the primary purpose when the system was established. But most if not all inmates were European, and except for those with mental disease, could be trained in trades during incarceration. They also tended to be Christian and repent.

The problem we have today, where incapacitation became the primary purpose, only became the norm after niggers were introduced into the general population. Rehabilitation fell to the side as a result of their inability to learn or plan, and so here we are....