Outsider: You seem to argue that punishing individuals for violent acts is the CAUSE of those violent acts.  That makes little sense to me.  Safer? Actually those life-sentences are the only guarantee our criminal justice system supplies against recidivism.  IMO, there are crimes and individuals who "merit" life-long incarceration. 

I'm a fan of early intervention and preventative measures to "short-stop" criminal behavior.  We do know that once an individual commits a felony and "hits the penal system" the chances for future criminal behavior rise markedly.  As you note, are current criminal justice system doesn't seem to be very effective in deterring criminal behavior.  We have found NO easy answers.  Gary Crum