A big part of it, I'm guessing, is that everybody involved believes your husband has been driving for the past 11 years, and simply didn't get caught until now. Your husband can ask his lawyer about the availability of work release. He can also try to explain his position and the family hardship that would result to the sentencing court, to see if he can convince the court to give him a lighter sentence.
Your husband was told three years ago what he needed to do to get a license, and that it was still an uphill battle. Getting another DWLS just made it even harder.
If you don't trust your lawyer, consider getting a second opinion from another law firm.

