Well said.  My only disagreement is on getting rid of mandatory sentences.  When it comes to violent crimes, I prefer to NOT leave this in the hands of judges.  Three strikes (maybe 2 in some cases) and you're out.

When I read about horrible crimes in here, the crime itself is bad enough.  But what's worse is the rap sheet of some lowlife who had already proven he/she can't live among us.  If it means more prisons, build them.