The Madoff Show Is Over. Who Won? (Update)

So Judge Denny Chin sentenced Bernie Madoff to 150 years. That's along the lines of one and half lifetimes, assuming you start at birth. It was three times the recommendation of the Probation Department, which suggested a mere 50 years, still rather steep for any 71 year old short of Methuselah. Obviously, the interests that took precedence were general deterrence and retribution. It makes sense, in a strange sort of way, that the judge would sentence the defendant to 150 years rather than 50, since both will result in Madoff's death in prison, but the longer sentence packs a far greater punch as far as the media, and deterrence, are concerned. Plus, it has the added benefit of satisfying the understandable lust for retribution for the victims. Yet, there are some deeper institutional issues at stake that flew over the heads... [read full story]                    

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