Does the Punishment fit

Does the punishment fit the crime? The word 'crime' is stated as "an act punishable by law, as being forbidden by statute or injurious to the public welfare". But does this definition relate to today's society? Does the term 'punishment' refer to the harsh, unforgiving treatment of a serious offender or just a phrase to describe an operation carried out by the government to allow the public to believe that offenders are paying for their …

…theory of retribution” – where a life sentence means life, not the 13 or so years that are served. Also, I do not see the reason for letting dangerous people who perform merciless acts of rape or brutal murders out for reasons such, “good behavior” and “cooperation”. So in conclusion, I believe that in a society where prisons feel like a communal congratulation for the law breaking citizens of today, the punishment does not fit the crime.