[CaptainHaplo]

At the age they are - 20 years per murder (40 total) would be appropriate. Good Behavior could cut that in half. That means at 35 the might have a shot at being reformed.

Jail is NOT just about keeping bad elements out of society - its purpose is to rehabilitate. Unfortunately, there is little real push in the system to do this, and there is little drive by the incarcerated to reform.

This is why building more jails doesn't work. If you are incarcerated for more than one year - you should not be eligible for release on "time served" unless you have a marketable or trade skill that will enable you to "go straight". That means if you sit on your ass the whole time and do nothing, you might spend 20 years in simply because you are unwilling to make yourself an asset to society and able to make your way legitimately. I'd rather pay for that person - who WILL commit more crime if they get out - to stay in jail, than I would for someone who works to rehabilitate themselves.

Not saying this is the way to do things - but there needs to be some measure of accountability in the "justice" system - on both the sides of justice and mercy.