It could be simultaneously true that our justice system punishes people in general too harshly (or any many cases punishes when they should not be punished at a

It could be simultaneously true that our justice system punishes people in general too harshly (or any many cases punishes when they should not be punished at all) while simultaneously true the example OP gave of rapist or violent child abuser being deserving of put on a very short leash if they are not to be executed. Honestly I think it's a testament to the mercy and leniency of society that someone who violently rapes another isn't lined up and executed after the conviction and appeals are exhausted. Personally I'm of the opinion that almost all crimes can be solved without jailtime. The vast majority can be solved with some sort of restitution and/or rehabilitative counseling and service after which they should be given back their horse and their gun and full rights of a citizen. A slight minority just line them up and end the problem (after conviction and appeals). Prison and a life-long record are impediments to rehabilitation and ultimately harm society.