Sunday's New York Times has a discussion [1] about the length of prison sentences. It begins with the issues laid out by a Wisconsin University law student and half a dozen responses are printed, all agreeing that our sentences are too harsh, even or especially for violent crimes.

An advantage of this style of issue coverage is that the writers are able to make a variety of points about incarceration with the flavor of different styles and perspectives without sounding didactic.

If you are interested in criminal justice sentencing, read the printed discussion.