I don't know about the US but here in the UK life usually means about 25 years.
He served 30 years, he's no longer a threat to society, in this case the US state. Just seems rather vengeful if you ask me. I don't think life on the inside was a picnic, and if just going by your reaction I don't think life on the outside is going to be either. I doubt he has many friends left.
Most spies do it for money. The days of the spying for a cause are over.
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