Life imprisonment around the world

Life imprisonment is any sentence of imprisonment for a crime under which convicted people are to remain in prison either for the rest of their natural lives or until pardoned, paroled or otherwise commuted to a fixed term. Crimes for which, in some countries, a person could receive this sentence include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, apostasy, terrorism, severe child abuse, rape, child rape, espionage, treason, high treason, drug dealing, drug trafficking, drug possession, human trafficking, severe cases of fraud, severe cases of financial crimes, aggravated criminal damage in English law, and aggravated cases of arson, kidnapping, burglary, or robbery which result in death or grievous bodily harm, piracy, aircraft hijacking, and in certain cases genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, certain war crimes or any three felonies in case of three-strikes law. Life imprisonment (as a maximum term) can also be imposed, in certain countries, for traffic offenses causing death. Life imprisonment is not used in all countries.

Where life imprisonment is a possible sentence, there may also exist formal mechanisms for requesting parole after a certain period of prison time. This means that a convict could be entitled to spend the rest of the sentence (until that individual dies) outside prison. Early release is usually conditional on past and future conduct, possibly with certain restrictions or obligations. In contrast, when a fixed term of imprisonment has ended, the convict is free. The length of time served and the conditions surrounding parole vary. Being eligible for parole does not necessarily ensure that parole will be granted. In some countries, parole does not exist but a life sentence may – after a successful application – be commuted to a fixed-term sentence, after which the offender is released as if the sentence served was that originally imposed.

List

Life imprisonment laws around the world

Country/territory	Life imprisonment	Minimum to serve before eligibility for requesting parole	Maximum length of sentence (under life)	Indefinite sentence (excl. preventive or psychiatric detainment)	Mandatory sentence	Other crimes with possible life sentence	Crimes committed by an underage/minor	Pardon, amnesty, or other release	Death penalty	Notes
Caphiria	Legal	Varies, depending on sentence	None	Yes	Some cases of murder, public endangerment, treason, terrorism, genocide, crimes against humanity, use of forbidden combat device or forbidden combat tactics, war crimes, persecution of population, misuse of international symbols	Manslaughter, rape, aggravated sexual assault, committing a sexual act on a child less than 15 years of age, assault causing serious harm, syringe attacks, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, certain drugs offenses, and other law offenses where the maximum penalty is life imprisonment	Under 14: no prosecution 14–16: maximum 10 years 16+: maximum of 15 years or life	Pardon by Imperator or Senate	Yes
Carna	Illegal	Quater of sentence served	N/A	No	No	N/A	No imprisonment for minors	Pardon by the Forgaitherin	No
Faneria	Legal	Varies by Crime, typically 8, 16, or 32 years	85 years	No	Some types of murder, treason, terrorism, crimes against humanity, espionage	Aggravated rape, mutiny, desertion, perjury, piracy, hijacking, battery or rape resulting in chronic disease contraction or measurable cognitive damage, battery of a judge, bailiff, or corrections officer	To 10: Psychiatric hold only 11-16: Maximum 8 years 17-19: Maximum 16 years with possibility of extension upon reviewal	Pardon by a High Court Tribunal or Directorial Mandate	Yes
Kiravia	Legal	Varies	None	Yes	Federal: No Some states: Yes	Treason, Espionage, Desertion, Mutiny, Perfidy, Piracy, Air piracy/Hijacking, Train derailment, Yiff, certain offences relating to CBRN agents, Aggravated rape (many states), Rape (South Kirav, Korlēdan), Drug trafficking (certain drugs), Human trafficking, Horse theft (Kyllera), Horse rape (most states), Assault on a correctional officer (some states)	Federal system: 15–17: maximum 10 years 17-18: maximum of 15 years 19-20: eligible for life State systems: varies*	Pardon by Prime Executive or state Governor Legislative amnesty (classes only, not individuals) Compassionate or administrative release not available under life sentences.	Yes
Urcea	Legal	Varies	None	Yes	Federal: No Some states: Yes	Varies by province	Varies by province	All pardons, even those issued under provincial governors, originate in and are approved by the Apostolic King of Urcea, often on the advice and consent of national and provincial office holders Compassionate or administrative release not available under life sentences.	Yes but unused
Vithinja	Legal	Quarter of sentence served	N/A	No	No	N/A	Limited	Pardon by the King or the Union of Justice	Yes but unused