Ray Saintonge wrote:
As a rule of thumb suspensions of privileges that exceed 24-hours should be considered punitive. When there are dangerous uncertainties about things that are happening 24 hours will be enough time to investigate. If after a best effort this still isn't enough one extend the time 24 hours at a time.
I'd say that depends. An indefinite block of a vandalism-only account, made on the basis that "nothing good has ever come from this user, and most likely nothing ever will", is not punitive but preventative.