People are entitled to whatever emotions they want. As a victim, or family member of a victim, anyone is entitled to feel hatred.
Society however should only look into what is most cost efficient, how the society could make the least losses.
If society will get more profit from keeping prisoners locked up for long time, then that should be the general policy.
If on the other hand, it is shown that society gets more profit (paid taxes, increased spending, et al) from having shorter sentencing and "Summer Camp Jail" style jails, then that's how the prison policy should be.
It should only be what is best for the society. Never what our emotions tells us.
A person who is sent to prison for life, will never be able to contribute to the working force of his/hers country. Economically, a disaster for any nation.
YIP
Zack