Commit a crime, do your time...then what?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,178021,00.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03222/210010.stm

James Hamm has a troubled past to say the least. In 1974, Hamm was a drug dealer who was confronted by two men that wanted to buy 20 pounds of marijuana from Hamm and his drug dealing friend. Hamm and his friend decided to rob the men. During the robbery, his friend killed the two men. For his part in the crime Hamm served 17 and one half years in prison. In prison Hamm earned his bachelors degree. After his sentence was commuted he attended and graduated from law school, in 1999 he passed the bar. After submitting his fitness and character application, the Arizona bar unanimously denied his admission to the bar.

The man committed a crime, he was sentenced and served his punishment. He has taken the steps to positively change his life and shown that he has a drive to reach his goals. His story is contrary to the common role of prisoners who spend their lives in the revolving door of the prison system. Do we want to discourage prisoners from reforming their lives?

I have no love for prisoners and I am all for harsh punishments. In this case, James Hamm has served his time. If his sentence has not sufficient, that should have been addressed at his sentencing. We cannot punish people like James Hamm forever.