Application of law is mostly derived from first principles. So you start with two things that are believed by most legal experts: - Sentencing to life without

Application of law is mostly derived from first principles. So you start with two things that are believed by most legal experts: - Sentencing to life without parole is considered inhumane - Criminal sentences should be proportional to the crime - Sentences are supermodular Let's say there is a minimum sentence of two months for some insignificant crimes, start increasing the length for more serious ones. Most serious crimes usually involve several different crimes that are committed while committing the "main" component of the crime. So it starts adding up, and it starts adding up fast due to the supermodularity. So even though the end result is seemingly absurd, trying to make it non-absurd would violate some of the most agreed-upon principles and here we are.