Amen! Cut him at least a six month break, or maybe commute the sentence to time served.
I don't know the circumstances of his case, but this sure shows a level of awareness that indicates this guy might be on the right track to becoming a good citizen again.
I would suggest he be placed in a work release program and see how it goes. I would like to know a little more about the rape aquital first though. If he got off through a fluke there, I'd be hard pressed to cut him any slack.