What's Wrong Here?

Today I had the misfortune of seeing our court system in motion. Well, at least part of it-
The Bureau of Child Support Enforcement. Yike.
I went with a friend of mine whose child is now 13 and for most of his life she has dealt with not getting child support or getting just enough on court dates to keep her ex out of jail.
This man is very able and talented - he just won't work consistently.
I think there is some strange thought in the non-custodial parent's head that they are helping the ex-spouse if they pay their monthly support. So it becomes a battle. A battle that never should have existed and a battle that is just completely ... well, wrong.
I can't imagine a parent looking at a child and saying I'm sorry I can't feed you, sorry no clothes today, no doctor's care, no house..... no life. Yet, by not paying that is exactly what they are doing. I understand there are people that take advantage everywhere - but there's something extra sad about doing it with your own flesh and blood. This guy went on and on about his sad luck ( self -inflicted I may add ) with no license ( I'll give you one guess why ), no job, no possibilities, no house /apartment of their own, etc. They thought nothing of announcing to the court that their live in partner foots the bills for everything while they wallow in self-pity. To me - this is the type of person that should be in jail. Yes, I know it is not exactly sensible to overwhelm our jails with non-violent offenders that could be working, but the reality is they aren't. So I say take away their freedoms with a twist. I say put them to work and let them come home to a jail cell. Force them to pay - even something meager - to their child by taking their paychecks and filtering it through the child support enforcement and charging " rent" for their cell so the state isn't burdened with their costs . I realize there may be flaws in my plan, but none that I think can't be handled. The other avenue I was thinking of is this. Supplement the custodial parent with state money - much like our welfare works. I say this recognizing that some custodial parents don't work and live off the system too. I am speaking specifically of the working middle class that hold up their end of the bargain when child support was originally set. It is based on the percentage that each parent puts toward the household income in an effort to not change the child's lifestyle due to the divorce. I believe if the custodial parent is holding up their percentage - then the non-custodial should be accountable for theirs. I would think that if the non-paying parent owes the state - we may have quicker court dates, more stiff penalties , and a stronger drive to get to the offender. Today, I saw 15 cases of people that were in contempt - there were only 3 that showed up for court. Wow - they really care huh? It's just this complacent attitude because the offenders know about our over-crowded jails and they know there is only so much that can be done and let's face it - they don't care. They don't care about their child's welfare, they don't care about the custodial parent's struggle and they become very selfish and self -serving trying to justify their lack of support. It's time something be done. It's time for reform.
I am sure I am not seeing something 100% clearly, but this method is clearly not working and it's sad and unfair. We wonder about the state of our world, but then don't have the spine to force, with the zeal it deserves, parents to support their children. hmmm.