Let the punishment fit the crime. Better yet, make the point of the justice system reparation (to the victim or their survivors) rather than punishment (of the perpatrator). Not an eye for an eye unless a transplant would work and you did it on purpose and with malice aforethought, quoi.
Y'all also remind me of a Québecquois song about an "habitant" locked up by 2"zélés" (jackbooted, képi-ed thugs?) philosophizing with his dog while walking through his fields, with a young man caught singing out loud en route to a tryst, both for practicing arts without permits. Years later they're released and found to be a wise man and a composer, but when offered honors they run away laughing...great song...