I am not a fan of long sentences for first offenses.
However, there is another problem. In prison, the person has a support system. Out in the “real world” the person is preyed on and has no way of making a living and no one to teach him. If he is not a Christian, he has no support system. What is the answer? Our society teaches disrespect for life, teaches that if someone has more than you it is fine to take what you want, it is pretty hopeless.
I don’t care whether it’s his first offense or his fiftieth offense he murdered another human being. I might point out that this young thug had committed other crimes. There are four or so rationales for punishment and I favor deterence and/or protecting society. His victim wasn’t given any consideration as to his age or his prior behavior. Why should the defendant be treated more leniently than his victim or the victim’s family. I would be in favor interment based on the victim’s age expectancy - no parol hearings for the defendant until the defendant served the number of years the victim’s life was cut off by his murder.
Liberals teach that - conservatives don't. Are you living in liberal-land?