throwawayyyyy10

Many of the comments here about the utility of punishment is very utilitarian, which is ironically fitting since we're talking of SBF.

What I never see acknowledged (or believed) by more lenient people is the fact that adequate punishment (sometimes harsh is adequate) serves to send a message not only to other offenders, but maybe most importantly to non-offenders, that the justice system is worth something.

"Crime doesn't pay" is to me a greater message to people who are not willing to commit crimes in the first place.