Justice, by definition, cannot be retributive, as retributive justice is nothing more than vengeance, bloodlust, or simple reaction.

Every incarcerated individual deserves not only humane conditions, but being treated as a human as well. In turn, that means that all justice must inherently be reformative. That does not mean that we should let violent criminals out after two months in prison, but for whatever term a person is incarcerated, the system should strive to help the person understand the error of his ways through education, and offer a hope for an alternative existence.

Violent criminals also make up a proportionally tiny amount of the prison population, and even then, many violent criminals are violent because of violent growing conditions, state violence, lack of education, and a lack of prospects. Offering education, a jobs program and training, and the ability for the individual to not feel like a rat in a cage is the very least a socialist justice system could strive to accomplish.

The death penalty further stands as the single most reactionary form of justice available. I don't care whether the judge is Chinese or American, any imposition of death by state apparati is a travesty and incompatible with socialism.