Originally Posted by OrlandoFlyer
Shame it was only a year. Is this sentence really long enough to deter other TSA Screeners from stealing from Airline Passengers? Me thinks not.
I don't think the length or severity of a sentence is the determining factor in deterrence. The real factor is the likelihood of getting caught. Most people do not do a complete statistical risks-benefit analysis and compute the "expected return" on their crime.
They do, however, have some idea of whether they'll get caught or not. If the perceived likelihood of getting caught is very low, then regardless of the sentence -- even up to life in prison -- people will do it. If you've got a 90% chance of being caught, then even if the sentence is one day in jail, or even "just" loss of job, very few will.