Should sentencing be easier for first time offenders?

Amazing that after only a few months in prison Martha Stewart believes that we should take it easy on nonviolent first time offenders.

To quote the article:

"The celebrity homemaker also showed a softer side, writing about the plight of some of the 1,100 other inmates. "Many of them have been here for years - devoid of care, devoid of love, devoid of family," she said, urging people to press for reforms in the sentencing guidelines for nonviolent first-time offenders."

Hmmm, the CEO of Enron sure was a non-violent first time offender. I wonder how many people want to be sure that he gets love and care and family while he rots in jail for destroying peoples lives.

And what about the leaders at WorldCom, we surely want them to have love and affection all around. I know lets all line up to give them kisses and bake them an apple pie.

Hogwash, I say be overly harsh the first time and I suspect we drastically reduce the odds of a second time. Some non-violent crimes come close to being as damaging to people and society as murder.

I say we toss Martha back in for another 5 months and she can give the other ladies some care and affection. Or perhaps we send all of them along with Martha to take care of at her home for 5 months. Surely that would be enough loving care for these poor poor inmates and a real boost to the prison budget.