We need to go back to the pre-1900’s method of imprisonment, when people were truly afraid of going to prison. No communication with the outside world or other inmates, barely enough food to survive, hard labor, and being constantly reminded of the error of your ways is a powerful deterrent to commiting major crimes. It worked just fine for the first 100 years, so why mess with it?
I would be much more afraid to go to a modern prison that is controlled by gangs.
People need to be truly afraid of the public. People need to fear they will be lucky to ever make it safely to prison, if they dare to commit crimes against the community.