Complex sentence: Sentencing is based on a set of guidelines that should not be applied rigidly as if they are writ in jurisprudential stone and instead should always depend on the precise facts and context concerned.
Split into simpler sentences: Sentencing is based on a set of guidelines that should not be applied rigidly as if they are "writ in jurisprudential stone". Instead, it should always depend on the precise facts and context concerned.