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Well, it's difficult to build social theory directly on scripture, since scripture is directed primarily at individuals rather than states. Jesus taught that we should forgive our enemies, but that clearly doesn't entail the same thing for the state as it does for us. The state has the responsibility to protect its citizens, and this sometimes involves going after and killing its enemies rather than forgiving them. I doubt anyone thinks that the judicial system would be better off if judges simply forgave criminals.
The difficulty with rehabilitation is that, if it is our only theory of punishment, we end up treating criminals as if they were sick, rather than as if they were criminals. This would imply that we treat the criminal until they are 'better'. And who decides when the criminal is 'better'? Naturally I don't mean to suggest that rehabilitation shouldn't be a goal of the justice system, only that it shouldn't be the only or even the most important goal.
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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