No offense at all.
I was not trying to imply that I advocate lighter sentences at all. But I'm also not convinced that crime is a "plague" yet. I think what I am trying to say is that mandatory sentencing and longer sentences for crimes that do not warrent it does not deter crime.
I think some people should be locked up for life, others I sit and wonder why they are even in. I do work directly with inmates, so I think we might want the same thing maybe we are just not agreeing on how to get it.

Firstly, thank you for your public service. You appear to be quite an advocate for the inmates. Which everyone needs, but even greater, would be if inmates advocated for themselves and followed through on what their supposed to do. We won't even begin to get into the recidivism rate with the crop of people that you are dealing with. I wasn't necissarily saying longer sentences, but maybe more challenging. I don't consider laying in bed and watching tv all day a punishment. In fact, to most it's a reward. I'm all for training, but also hard work, work that is harder than the work the would do on the outside, that way they never want to return to prison again. Again, thank you for your public service.

While the convict is chained to his cell mate breaking up rocks or picking up trash, he's certianly not learning any new crime tactics. The current system promotes criminals to share the knowledge making them more effective and dangerous criminals when they get out.
Aside from the fact that chain gangs are increadibly unpleasant where the current system is a free bed, free food, free TV, how is this a deterrant?
Sure, we lock up lots and lots of pot heads, but we don't do so well for bank robbers, burglars or fraudsters.

We need to create a tent city for inmates.
NO more smoking, coffee, pornographic magazines, movies and unrestricted television in all jails.
Feed the bologna sandwiches, fruit and vegies that they grow on their own farm created in the tent city ,powdered eggs and milk, bread and cold water.
Oh and lets not forget the one a day vitamin
Make them attend school in one of the tents to get a high school diploma if they don't have one.
Run anything that needs powered with solar or wind power so taxpayers won't be paying for utility bills.
Start them on an anti-drug program in the tent city as well.
Of course anyone needing real medical attention would be entitled to it and non narcotic medications as prescribed would be available to all.
But sex change operations would not be permitted breast implants not permitted things that are not medically necessary would NOT BE PERMITTED. and sneezing and coughing without a fever present would not constitute as being to ill to work on the chain gang.
I ALMOST FORGOT NO AC!
And they would still be better off that any American soldier living in the desert in IRAQ.

Well what you are implying to do is have every inmate in solitary all day long. so be prepared to build more prisons that can accomadate your wishes. That means more public money. And although I think you are refering to state prison, LCP does charge inmates per day. they get a bill when they get out.
We actually agree that sentences do not seem to apply common sense. And your also agreeing in a round about way that most people in prison would benifit more from well planned, intensive supervision in the community rather than learning the ins and outs of criminal behavior while in jail.