I don't much like him, and from my politics (generally left) I guess I'm supposed to be angry about the underprosecution of white-collar crime, but I don't see a great case for actually imprisoning him. I mostly take a view that imprisonment is a last resort to physically restrain people from harming society further, with alternatives being preferable, if at all possible. Is imprisonment really the last option available in Madoff's case? I think just banning him from investment-related jobs and imposing some kind of probationary oversight would be sufficient to keep him from reoffending. In addition, of course, to confiscating his wealth, plus perhaps taking some portion of his future earnings as restitution.

Madoff is the perfect example. Sure, on the surface his actions weren't violent, but I'd be surprised if someone didn't die as a result of his $60 billion theft. I'm not even talking about the suicides that probably occurred. Instead, imagine all of the people who lost everything and could no longer afford to take care of themselves properly.