> That's one of my presuppositions, I guess. I think we're all here to help everybody; that's my interpretation of the Golden Rule. Hence the criminal justice system is here to help the convicted as well as the victims. Not necessarily to make the convicted happy or to do what the convicted wants, but yes, to help the convicted. I believe that's the fundamental duty of humanity.

You're absolutely right. It is the fundamental duty of humanity to help others, especially criminals. However, it is NOT a duty of the government to help convicts; it is the duty of government to administer justice. You want to help criminals? Go to your nearest jail and try to help them. That's a much more effective method than trying to get the government to help them for you.