Might sound crazy but I've heard it's only 20 years.
2007-11-08 04:14:10 · 11 answers · asked by RyanGP 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
It depends on each state's laws, and also on factors like whether or not the prisons are overcrowded at any given time, and even on the whim and leniency of a particular parole board. Most "life" sentences allow time off for good behavior and the possibility of parole after a certain time. There is some kind of formula they use that I believe varies from state to state but every month of good behavior equals a certain amount shaved off the sentence. (20 years sounds reasonable, but I have also heard of life sentences being shorter than that.) If their case comes up for parole at a time the prisons are really crowded, or if their victims and/or victim's family isn't vocal enough or available to protest the release, the parole board often releases them as a matter of necessity or expedience.
That is actually one of the strong arguments for capital punishment. Those with life sentences are usually put in the "general population" and may come out worse and smarter criminals than when they went in. Unless we can really find some way to rehabilitate these folks and help them reassimilate into society and be productive law-abiding citizens, it doesn't seem right to me (and especially not to their victims and families) that they have another chance to get out and pose a danger to the community again.
2007-11-08 04:24:06 · answer #1 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Life in Prison = 25 years
2007-11-08 04:34:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the state and how the sentence is imposed. In many murder sentencing where the death penalty is not available for one reason or another the judge often gives the sentence life without the possibility of parole. In this case it is indeed life.
2007-11-08 04:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Usualy only 20 to 30 years...
2007-11-08 05:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by treacherous_13 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It varies from state to state.
"Life without parole" means forever.
In Texas, "life" in prison means you're ELIGIBLE for parole in 35 years, 40 if you committed a "captial felony."
2007-11-08 05:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by Benjamin Gladstone 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LIFE TWO KINDS-NATURAL LIFE OR LIFE AND THEN LIFE WITHOUT.
LIFE IS A 20-30 YEAR SENTENCE.
LIFE W/O IS A LIFE IN PRISON TILL DEATH.
2007-11-08 04:31:49 · answer #6 · answered by ahsoasho2u2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and sometimes less, even down to eight years in some cases.
Our system sucks doesn't it!
2007-11-08 04:17:56 · answer #7 · answered by Elliott J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
These days it can mean a lot less than that.
2007-11-08 04:22:35 · answer #8 · answered by Alion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
intill i come in
2007-11-08 04:21:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until you take your last breath of air. <|:-})-{*
2007-11-08 04:20:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋