This is fascinating and thought provoking. I agree, however, that it would never be acceptable in my own country (US) because our mass media addiction and divisive political culture tends to perpetuate many people’s worst instincts: greed, ignorance, hatred, denial, and despair (which, taken together, constitute the default Republican platform). And this leads directly to vindictive attitudes towards prisoners, and largely precludes wisdom or compassion.

BUT—there is also a latent strain of idealism and innovation in our national character which has led to, for example, the Marshall Plan, which transformed mortal enemies into allies after WWII, and enabled a devastated Europe to quickly recover, form strong and stable democracies, and ultimately to transcend a long history of tribal hatreds and warfare to form the EU and the NATO alliance. So I never discount the possibility that truly innovative ideas can gain a foothold and flourish, even in the (currently dysfunctional) USA.