Is there something that would prevent society from imprisoning them for as long as needed
Yes, political change could prevent that.
As a more practical matter, remember that you have a wild spectrum of crimes called "murder". At one end, you have some clueless cop restraining an OD while waiting for the ambulance he himself ordered. On the other end, you have the "hi fi murderers" who forced their victims to drink Drano in order to eliminate witnesses of their rape and robbery. To me, a public policy of keeping the same punishment for both crimes will effect the cost-benefit analysis that even flunky criminals are capable of performing. (Sometimes.)
And partly, it's just a matter of vindictiveness. Someone who kills people by forcing them to drink Drano just needs removed from the species.
That's an irrational evil feeling, but then everyone else seems motivated by irrational kumbaya feelings.
Yes, political change could prevent that.
As a more practical matter, remember that you have a wild spectrum of crimes called "murder". At one end, you have some clueless cop restraining an OD while waiting for the ambulance he himself ordered. On the other end, you have the "hi fi murderers" who forced their victims to drink Drano in order to eliminate witnesses of their rape and robbery. To me, a public policy of keeping the same punishment for both crimes will effect the cost-benefit analysis that even flunky criminals are capable of performing. (Sometimes.)
And partly, it's just a matter of vindictiveness. Someone who kills people by forcing them to drink Drano just needs removed from the species.
That's an irrational evil feeling, but then everyone else seems motivated by irrational kumbaya feelings.