When the first settlers arrived in 1788 crime and punishment were accorded different standards. People could be sent to the gallows - or transported to the other side of the world for what would today be regarded as a " misdemeanour ".
Over time the death penalty began to only apply to murder - and was finally abolished. In it's place a sentence of " life " was supposed to ensure that the convicted person died of old age within the prison system.
Even that got watered down and now " life " usually means a maximum of twenty years - with time off for good behaviour usually resulting in a much earlier release.
In extreme cases a judge may determine that a case is so horrendous that a prisoner " should never be released ", but this has no legal standing and the " truth in sentencing " legislation leaves the sentence interpretation subject to review by a later judge.
Basically, the objective of the courts has changed from punishment to rehabilitation.
It seems that no crime - or very few crimes - are so horrific that rehabilitation can not prepare a prisoner for a change of attitude and the opportunity to once again take their place in society as a free person.
This change of attitude takes no account of the pain and distress the relatives of the victim feel when the perpetrator walks out of the prison gate.
What upsets many people is the knowledge that the prison regime has absolutely nothing to do with justice. It is all a matter of available space - and money !
Keeping a person in gaol is a very costly business and society now seems to prefer sentencing a lot of people to a short stay rather than keeping a lesser number incarcerated for a long time.
It provides the illusion of punishment - and that is what keeps politicians in office.
We have a world financial meltdown and this state is perilously close to being bankrupt. Watch out for a sharply increased " revolving door " attitude to prison sentencing - and more people walking free after a shorter period " inside " !
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