I can imagine that people with mental issues are also more likely to end up in inns and brothels. These people remain problematic after closing those locations. Even more so with factories as you already pointed out.
[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/saving-normal/201303...
IMO, free psychotherapy in prisons and getting rid of private prisons is a good idea. There is too much of "this is how we've always done it".
I am also more concerned about the 90something% of cases that end up in a conviction due to plea bargaining. No due process. Tons of possibly innocent people admit guilt to avoid having their day in court. Risk getting a false conviction and serve 10yrs or plea bargain and get just a year,what poor person would take that risk if you can't afford a good lawyer?
Guy was not malicious, just not mentally healthy. Doing nothing meant the business would continue to get harassed.
Judge and prosecutor and defense attorney had a long conference about how none of the options available were any good.
Mental health courts are one approach being tried out in a few jurisdictions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health_court
Basically like a plea agreement with conditions to enter into a community based support program or some kind of treatment program.
They aren't without criticisms, but they provide a tool to deal with these messed up situations the criminal justice constantly gets stuck with.
I think they used the minimum sentence then worked to set up a mental health court for future cases.