The longer it takes the more resentment grows until NO amount of punishment seems enough for the criminal who caused it all. Then the media often makes it worse. The criminals receive all the attention, especially in capitol cases. The news and newspapers continue to bring up names and events and pains that have tried to be forgotten. Sleepless nights and depressed days follow.
Years go by and nothing changes.
The pain never fully heals, the anger and resentment never fully goes away. And for the offender in prison it's often much the same. Crimes affect the offender too. The inmate sits in prison day after day, month after month, year after year. Guilt and regret often set in.