If kids are given life sentences for robbery - yes, you inevitably create animals, lots of them.
Labor sentences aren’t light. They’re what’s needed. The recidivism rate in America is far more than in other countries. While we have health care, economy, religion, freedom of speech and a whole slew of other things right (until/unless Obama messes with them), they have sentencing in a more productive way. Sentences here were less harsh and more reasonable too, with plenty of leeway given to judges (and the judge in this case basically supported his parole) until liberals came up with “equalized” sentencing guidelines in the late 80s. So yes, across the board harsh sentences are another failed aspect of statism.
I will give you this: we need to bring back hard labor as well as self-sufficient farm prisons. Definitely.
Separate issue from Huckabee’s political career. Which is over.