PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT. Our own Aeronmelon is going through some shit at the moment and could use some help. Check it out here and consider an upvote or a comment to push it into activity. Sorry, not something I do often or will be spamming. But I care about my friend and if I can get a couple more eyes on his situation then I'm going to try to do what I can. (Last one I promise. Just twice. Not going to spam but dude is a big part of the Lemmy community, especially with Trek, and he deserves the help. And to the mods, if this doesn't fit and you want to remove? Go for it. I completely understand it and I am sorry)
Edit: Oh wait I'm the mod here. Well, I say it is fine
Punishment as deterrence has some validity too. But past a certain point, amping up the punishment isn't going deter any more people, and could interfere with rehabilitation. Most US sentences are well beyond that point though. Restorative justice is also important, but shouldn't put the perpetrator in anything like an indentured servitude situation where they'd be unable to support themselves.