Can prison be considered an effective method of dealing with criminals?

ESSAY QUESTION

Of those prisoners released in 1997, 58 per cent were convicted of another crime within two years. 36 per cent were back inside on another prison sentence. 18–20-year-old male prisoners were reconvicted at a rate of 72 per cent over the same period; 47 per cent received another prison sentence.

Can prison be considered an effective method of dealing with criminals?

“We will never arrest our way out of the problems of crime”

Taking into account the statements above, can prison be considered an effective method of dealing with criminals?