This is sure to be an unpopular opinion, but convictions and meaningful sentences would likely have a positive affect. If there are only trivial consequences t

This is sure to be an unpopular opinion, but convictions and meaningful sentences would likely have a positive affect. If there are only trivial consequences to crime, then rational actors will be more willing to commit them. If there are bigger consequences, they will be less likely to commit them. Moreover, if the criminal is in jail; there is a period of time they are taken out of circulation.