What is Life imprisonment?
'''Life imprisonment''' is a [[:wikt:term|term]] used for a [[Sentence (law)|sentence]] of [[jail|imprisonment]]. The effect of such a sentence is different in each [[jurisdiction]]. Life in prison is known by others as a [[:wikt:humane|humane]] [[wikt:alternative|alternative]] to the [[death penalty]] for the most serious [[crimes]] such as [[murder]], [[terrorism]], etc. A formerly used form of life imprisonment was [[Immurement]]. In some cases, a person with a life sentence can leave prison on [[parole]] after a number of years. In the [[United States]], this is usually 15 to 25 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parole and Long Sentences {{!}} Center for Justice|url=https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/content/parole-and-long-sentences|access-date=2023-02-07|website=centerforjustice.columbia.edu}}</ref> However, the person must [[wikt:convince|convince]] a court or parole board that they will not commit more crimes. If a person leaves on parole, they are not completely free, and they have some [[wikt:restriction|restrictions]]. In other cases, the [[court]] may decide that the person should never leave prison, which is called '''life without parole'''. This sentence is used for even more serious crimes. == References == {{Reflist}} == Other websites == * [http://www.penalreform.org/life-imprisonment.html International perspectives on life imprisonment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006024926/http://www.penalreform.org/life-imprisonment.html |date=2008-10-06 }} {{stub}} [[Category:Punishments]] [[Category:Imprisonment and detention]]