The fact that the only solution you see is "punishment" is exactly the problem. No reasonable punishment will stop these crimes. Period. And unreasonable punishments, like locking a human in a cage without rehabilitation for years of their life, only make the problem worse and cost us a ridiculous amount of money (and humanity).
So maybe take a step back, or five, and think about the causes of petty crimes and why they happen here more than other nations.
So maybe take a step back, or five, and think about the causes of petty crimes and why they happen here more than other nations.