Life imprisonment

Life imprisonment is a term used for a particular kind of sentence of imprisonment. The effect of such a sentence varies between jurisdictions. Life imprisonment is regarded by many as a humane alternative to the death penalty for the most serious crimes.

In actuality, however, a life sentence does not always mean "imprisonment for life." In many cases one can be paroled out of a life sentence after a decade or more has passed.

Different interpretations of the term "life imprisonment"

• In the United Kingdom it does not mean, as one might expect, "imprisonment for life", but a prison sentence of indeterminate length. In many cases the Home Secretary sets the "tariff", or length of term, for prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment.

• http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi19.html
• http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/00703.htm