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; many nations have a maximum possible period of time a prisoner may be incarcerated, or require the possibility of parole after a set amount of time.

Children and teenagers

Like other areas of criminal law, the sentences given to young people who are minors, or not yet legal adults, may differ from those given to legal adults. About a dozen countries worldwide allow for minors to be given lifetime sentences that have no provision for eventual release. Of these, only four - Israel, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States actually have minors serving such sentences, according to a 2005 survey by two US human rights groups. Of these, the United States has by far the largest number of minor prisoners with life sentences, at about 2,200.{{ref|nyt20051003}}

Related Topics:
Criminal law - Minors - Adult - Israel - South Africa - Tanzania - United States - Human rights

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