What does life in prison mean?

Answer 1

Not necessarily - it could mean that you are locked up for 50 years, which may be the rest of your natural life, but if not, you may be paroled, if that was a possibility as stated at your trial.

Answer 2

"Life in prison" means that the criminal sentenced to such will spend the rest of his/her natural life in prison.

There are two types of Life sentences that can be handed down: life with the possibility of parole, and life without the possibility of parole. Life without parole is just that. The inmate will remain incarcerated for his entire life. He will die in prison unless some other legal event occurs to intervene: commutation of the sentence, pardon by the Governor or the President, successful appeal, etc.

If parole is permitted as part of the sentence, the convicted person's records will be reviewed at a predetermined time (unique to the statues of each state) and they could be considered for parole (conditional release). In the event they are denied parole, the state's Department of Corrections will regularly review the inmate's records (between every three to seven years) for a new parole determination.

Generally speaking, it is the unwritten policy of the DOCs of all fifty states that a Life sentence (with or without the possibility of parole) is a life sentence; "Life means Life." Very few paroles for lifers are ever given, and in the rare events when they are, it is usually an attempt by the state to avoid mounting medical expenses for treating an inmate.

Answer 3

The term "life sentence" is used when a criminal is convicted for more years then the lifetime of that criminal or for the rest of their life.

Answer 4

In short, life means life. Unless there is the possibility of parole or a successful appeal, the inmate will die behind the wire.