If you look at the kind of sentences that were prevalent, say, in the 1890-1910 period, we have greatly increased punishments.
In 1900, a guy could beat up a cop, and get six months. Don’t try that today.
Moreover, when guys got out of jail, nobody thought much of it. They went back to their job at the factory and that was that.
There is a lot to be said for this. The key to crime reduction is not the length of the sentence, but the certainty of punishment. If you know you’re definitely going to jail, you’re far less likely to commit a crime. Our method is exactly the opposite. You have one chance in a hundred of serving 20 years, but you probably won’t be caught.
Back in those days a man could be legally hanged within weeks of murdering someone.
The Whipping Post was still in use some places for small crimes. Wife Beaters got to feel the whip!
Then the do-gooders came along, bawled and bellowed about “injustice” and got these vermin released on the public.
Bring back the noose and whipping post! Some people just need to feel rope burns before they expire and others a taste of the lash for minor crimes and misdemeanors.