Two responses to my death penalty/LWOP article

My recent cover story on death penalty abolition and life without parole has produced some interesting responses. From a letter by David Dax:

I saw no reference to the crimes that had resulted in LWOP. People don’t receive LWOP for petty crimes. No prison sentence is meant to make inmates feel good about their lives, so asking for their opinion on LWOP is beside the point. A fair discussion of the subject would require that one include all pertinent issues and talk with all the concerned parties….

There has to be a reasonable alternative that does not mitigate the consequences of the crime. I saw nothing in the article that suggested such an alternative…. If rehabilitation is an objective, someone subject to LWOP can begin the rest of his or her life behind bars doing something worthwhile among fellow inmates….