First-time, non-violent criminals do not belong in prison.

[Irreligious Atheist]

In my opinion, prisons exist to protect Society (which includes criminals themselves) from those who would commit physical harm against persons or property and from chronic, repeat non-violent offenders who could simply be an excessive burden on the police, courts, insurance companies, etc

It is neither just nor cost-effective to punish non-violent offenders with jail time.  Society can instead give them fines, list them on registries, make them do community service, monitor their movements, etc.

With the federal debt soaring to new heights, does the mass incarceration in the United States even make sense?

My truck was stolen during the mid-1980's. Not content to merely damage the vehicle by crashing into guardrails and other roadside objects during their high-speed escape, the two individuals involved later vandalized it by jumping on the cab, caving it in, stealing an expensive radio/tape deck that I had recently installed, breaking all the windows, and finally smashing the dashboard to smithereens with a pipe or crowbar. The damages totaled about $4,500. They pleaded guilty in court and used the "first offense" defense. They were each sentenced to a weekend in jail, $2,000 fine, restitution to my insurance company, and restitution to me for all expenses not covered by my insurance. I can still remember the grins on their faces and the way they slapped each other on the back as they left the courtroom. One of them never bothered paying any money and the other failed to reimburse my insurance company. They went on to commit other crimes, having learned they could get away with them.

Do you consider these clowns non-violent criminals who didn't deserve prison sentences?

Maybe they were smiling and slapping each other on the back because they were happy they were going to be free after a weekend in jail, rather than they were personally rubbing it into your face or something. Anyone would be happy and backslapping after getting a light sentence. No? I would not argue that sentencing in the United States needs to be more strict. These criminals, if adults, got a permanent record, which is punishment in itself in how it can impact your ability to work many places. If they were youths or young teens and this was their first time stealing a car I can understand the sentencing, but after getting caught with another stolen car after that they might want to put them in a detention center for a short time at least. Really though, prison is where you send people so they can become better criminals, so the leniency for first time offenders makes sense.