Oh yes, the nice belief that a leopard can change his spots, the zebra can change its stripes: Reform. Sorry, I do not think reforming a criminal is viable. Sure there may be a couple who do but if this guy didn't get out because of "good behavior" the child would still be alive and the mother unharmed. If a criminal is sentence 10 years, 20 years, 30 years in prison then he should serve those years. No parole, no getting off for good behavior, none of that crap.
I also agree with Guard Dog, 1st degree and 2nd degree murder needs to have the same severity in punishment. In either case the victim is dead.