Norway’s Shocking Response to a Mass Child Killer

The gist

1. Harden says the killer had terrible genetic and environmental luck, with social workers noting at age five that he was violent and tortured pets.
2. Harden notes Norway gave him its maximum sentence of 21 years, though she believes it can be extended if he's still judged a risk.
3. Williamson calls 21 years weak, arguing he should never be released, both to warn others and to keep him contained.
4. Harden lays out three purposes of incarceration: containment to protect others, retribution, and rehabilitation to repair the person and their tie to the community.
5. Harden argues punishment signals how much victims are valued, but indulging maximum retribution can bring out callous instincts in society itself.