Why is a life sentence not for life?
Question
Why is a life sentence called a life sentence, when it doesn't last for a natural life, but only lasts 20 years instead.
Jesse, Orpington
Answer
** Definitive **
Name: Dermot, Wood Green
Qualification: Legal Executive
Answer: When someone is given a life sentence by a judge, they are jailed for a minimum of 20 years and if the parole board decides to release them, they are released on license. This means that if they commit another crime while on license, they can be immediately put back in jail to serve a full life term. Therefore, the term is for life, even if they are not help in prison for all this time. This scheme was introduced when they replaced the death sentence with a life sentence.
Name: Marcus, Surbiton
Qualification: Magistrate (and painter and decorator)
Answer: My understanding of a life sentence is that it does indeed refer to life, but the judge sets a minimum term that the prisoner has to serve to give them an incentive to behave whilst serving. If they are not well-behaved, they will stay in jail for the rest of their life. If they behave, they are eligible for parole quicker.
(James O'Brien: But this is true of all terms. If you're jailed for 10 years and you make a nuisance of yourself in jail, they can extend your term.)