> Prisoners also cost a ridiculous amount of public funds
That's the point. Imprisoning people should be expensive so that it is used judiciously as a punishment.
Other countries have done very well at ensuring that former prisoners are turned into productive members of society. So the USA can accomplish the same.
> Imprisoning people should be expensive so that it is used judiciously as a punishment.
It shouldn't be used as a punishment at all. It makes sense only in cases where a convicted criminal represents a serious threat to other members of society which can only be mitigated through isolation—in which case the isolation should continue until there is no longer a threat. In all other situations we should be able to come up with more immediate and effective forms of punishment; ideally ones with an element of restitution for the victims.
(Also: If there are no victims seeking restitution then there shouldn't be a conviction in the first place, much less punishment.)
Other countries also have universal healthcare, free tertiary education and all sorts of things you would expect from a developed country.
I've come to the conclusion that the US is just a rich country with a huge military industrial complex that masquerades as a developed country while doing all the things it denigrates poorer countries for.
So while the USA can definitely afford to be a developed country I wouldn't hold your breath.
That's the point. Imprisoning people should be expensive so that it is used judiciously as a punishment.
Other countries have done very well at ensuring that former prisoners are turned into productive members of society. So the USA can accomplish the same.