Why??

It would appear - unless he is successful on appeal - that Conrad Black will go to prison. This is an American matter and as such not one I would normally comment on, but I'm sure that had the trial been in this country, he would equally be looking at a gaol sentence. What's the point? His crime was economic, and common sense would suggest that his punishment should also be economic. What will be served by locking him up, other than retribution? Justice would be better served, I would suggest, by requiring him to work to reimburse and recompense all those he has been convicted of defrauding.