It is because the "punishment" does not fit the crime! In many countries simple crimes will result in a public beating or worse. Criminals in the US have so many rights that jail time is typically low or non-exsistent for even the worse felony crimes. We have capital punishment but are afraid to use it because people even question the justice system and the people that are convicted. How many other countries all appeals for convictions. If we started executing all those people in jail right now that were convicted and given the death penalty, it might actually deter murder in the US!