I'd plough a lot more money in to building prisons. More prisons, tougher sentences.
No early release but extra time for bad behaviour.
All visits through a solid screen, no physical contact with visitors.
That is my realistic view.
Fantasy prison:
Prisoners would generate electricity for perks such as tv. Static cycling, treadmills, hand cycles for the legless, giant hamster wheels, cross trainers - variety is good.
The less able would do laundry and cleaning.
The totally unable would be exempt.
Prisoners would move blocks monthly so no alliances could be made.
Second offence after soft sentencing such as community service - prison, no matter what the offence as long as it carries prison as a tariff.
like you take a tougher approach, all foreign prisoners - no exception deported back to country of birth on completion of their setence and no appeals automatically put on the plane, families can go with them for free.