Sentencing nunsense?

You know we live in tough sentencing times when even an ailing elderly nun cannot get a sentencing break.  This local Nebraska story provides all the details:

An Omaha nun who admitted stealing money from the local archdiocese has been sentenced to prison.  Sister Barbara Markey and her supporters had expected her to get probation after pleading guilty to stealing more than $250,000.  Instead, the judge gave her a three-to-five-year prison sentence, saying probation would have promoted disrespect for the law.

“I’m shocked and disappointed,” said defense attorney Bill Gallup. “If ever a person deserved to be put on probation, it was this nun.”….

Markey, 73, had taken the money to fund vacations, homes and a gambling addiction. She ran the archdiocese’s Family Life office for more than 25 years but was dismissed after money was discovered missing from the Focus Marriage program….

Markey will have to begin serving her sentence immediately.  The judge rejected a request to give her a few days to get her affairs in order.  “This is an old woman in the fading twilight of her life,” said Gallup.  “She’s in bad health, has a broken shoulder, and (the judge) put her in jail. You put people in jail who are a danger to the community. She’s not and doesn’t need to be rehabilitated.”

Under current sentencing guidelines, Markey won’t be eligible for parole until she’s served at least 18 months.