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
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austro-Caldera
|
Legal | 4 years | None | No | Murder of a Volkspartei member | Homicide, rape, pedophilia | There is no death penalty for under 26
|
Pardon by Volkspartei member | Yes | |
 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 |
|
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 | |
 Cartadania
|
Legal | Varies, depending on sentence | None | Abolished in 2000, but individuals already serving an indefinite sentence continue to serve | Class 0 felony, war crimes, persecution of population, misuse of international symbols | Manslaughter, rape, aggravated sexual assault, committing a sexual act on a minor, assault causing serious harm, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and other law offenses where the maximum penalty is life imprisonment |
|
Pardon by President, State or territorial governor or retrial by court | Yes, Class 0 only | Though legal, the usage of life imprisonment is not common while the death penalty has not been utilized anywhere in the country in nearly a decade. Cartadania's criminal justice system is based heavily upon deterrence and rehabilitation, and its prison system is considered to be one of the most humane in the world. |
 Eldmora-Regulus
|
Legal | Varies, depending on sentence | None | Yes | Some cases of murder, public endangerment, treason, terrorism, crimes against humanity, espionage, sexual assault, rape, pedophilia | None |
|
Pardon by the President. | Yes | |
 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:
State systems:
|
Pardon by Prime Executive or state Governor Legislative amnesty (classes only, not individuals) Compassionate or administrative release not available under life sentences. |
Yes | |
 Tierrador
|
Legal | Varies | None | No | Type I Felony including murder, rape, pedophilia, war crimes, persecution of population, misuse of international symbols | Manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, assault causing serious harm, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and other law offenses where the maximum penalty is life imprisonment |
|
Pardon by Woqala, Qaphenć, regional or provincial governor or retrial by court | Type I Felony only | |
 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 |