Sentences for white-collar criminals up for review

Former Enron Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling talks to the media outside the Bob Casey United States Court House October 23, 2006, in Houston, Texas. Skilling was sentenced to 24 years and four months in prison for his role in deceiving investors about the finanacial condition of his former company, Enron Corp., which ultimately collapsed into bankruptcy in the fall of 2001. The debacle ruined the retirement savings accounts of thousands of former empoyees. Skilling was given home confinement with an ankle bracelet until prison officials order him in.

While many people think Jeffrey Skilling's sentence was actually too light, his sentence, and the way by which other so-called "white collar" criminals are punished, is something that legal scholars have been debating for years.

Jeffrey Skilling, the former head of Enron, is anticipating a ruling that could dramatically cut his time in prison. Skilling was convicted in 2006 for his role in the the corporate scandal, and was sentenced to serve more than 20 years in a Colorado federal prison

While many people think his sentence was actually too light given the amount of money that people all over the country lost, Skilling's sentence, and the way by which other so-called "white collar" criminals are punished, is something that legal scholars have been debating for years.

Many think it may soon change.

For more we're joined by Kelly Strader, Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School.