[Xaccers]

Anyone got information on the likelihood of actually getting caught for committing a crime in that area?
If the punishment was to have your legs removed, if the chances of getting caught were zero, then the punishment wouldn't be much of a deterrant.
Course if the chances of getting caught are on a par with other areas which don't have such a harsh prison regime, then it's fair to say it's making no difference to recidivism.

Having said that, if the prisoners are more productive and it costs less to run, then that would be a benefit that could be repeated elsewhere making other prisons more cost effective, the savings could then either be pumped back into the community to reduce crime by improving people's lot, or into ways of rehabilitation that work better.