[tanknetter]

then why do other spies receive smaller sentences for demonstrably greater offenses?

Many, if not most, spies end up reaching plea bargain deals where they are thoroughly debriefed on their activities in return for not being executed. The counter intelligence folks get information on how we were penetrated, while the damage assessment folks get a full picture on what exactly was compromised.

[TopQuark]

Right. I don't think there is anyone that has been given a sentence that long, including those that spied for Russia and in the case of the the most recent breech (I forgot his name). The question (of justice) is, what was exceptional in the case of Pollard?