text: why aren't sex offenders in america given longer sentences in prison? they get off easy, no pun intended overcrowding is one.  lack of harsher penalties would be an obvious reason. they should make it a mandatory, mandatory 5 years for a sex crime, whether the victim was a child or an adult, you should always get at least 5 years. repeat offenders, well..i think if you get caught twice doing something that bad, then they should castrate you, or at least 50 years, no possibility of parole.