Maybe a better alternative is actually the other direction... e.g. Maximum Penalty, for any crime, being something relatively short, like 5 years. No stacking offenses, no for life, double life without possibility of parole etc.

This has the side benefit of providing a mechanism for vigilantes to exact revenge knowing their time costs are limited. If you're of evil intent, relying on gaming the justice system inefficiencies, you'll still have to answer to society.

And people like Ross would already be free. Along me many offenders vs feeding the slave prison work complex.

just a thought. im sure there's plenty of problems with this but may be worth considering the comparative tradeoffs. 

 Another thought would be about their punishment being not about how to harm the criminal the most, but how to give restitution to the victims.