Even if they had, another judge could decide to "revisit" it, perhaps years from now.
Still, as it is, he will be dead before his 23 years are up: he may be dead on Day One if he other cons get ahold of him.
That could be ... that Boston priest who was actually a pedophile didn't last long. However, I don't think this form of "justice" speaks well of our society. If we, through our organs of criminal justice, aren't willing to sentence him to death, we shouldn't be sneaks and let someone else assume the responsibility.
A prison sentence should be a sentence of incarceration, not a sentence to death, beating, or rape. It just not an honorable way to operate.
You are absolutely right about that.