As one who sees the immediate result of crime on victims regularly, I think getting tougher couldn't hurt. I have worked in a tough jail early in my career and I can tell you...there is the "con" mentality that always will play the game because it makes their life better while they are there. If there wasn't such a high recitivisim rate, I might actually believe these programs work for them. The difference is that no program, no matter how well intended, will work unless the person really wants to change. Maybe they do some good for the less hardened.

Change is pretty hard for someone who only knows the way of violence, dope, and a criminal lifestyle. When they get out, unless they move away from all their crappy "friends", they are doomed.