Indeed,
There are a number of reasons why sanctions are imposed on criminals. Namely:
Rehabilitation
Deterrence
Retribution
Incapacitation, and
Reintegrative shaming
Now a life sentence falls under Incapacitation (i.e the state is protecting society from further offenses) However it does not allow for rehabilitation.
quote:
Originally posted by pipish
life in jail never always happens they get let out on good behaviour bond or somthing you dont often hear of a person dieing in prison due to old age
A good behaviour bond is a criminal sanction that is only imposed during sentencing. It is usually used for more serious summary offenses (i.e high range drink driving etc). You seem to be refering to parole. When sentencing a judge imposes the actual term, but ALSO places a minimum term of which parole cannot be sought (i.e 25 years jail, with a 21year non-parole period) The offender must serve the minimum term. A parole board then asseses their application. They will NOT allow any old criminal out without good reason. They must be reformed.
As for a life sentence meaning an actual life sentence, (so as you say, a prisioner dies in jail) i addressed the common law precedent in an earlier post. I believe such provisions also exist in the relevant laws of the U.K. (As for America, their system to too corrupt for me to care)
As i said in a previous post. The law allows for judges to asses the situation on a case by case basis. If they believe the offender has no prospects for rehabilitation, or the crime was unusually abhorent, they may impose an actual full life sentence. However if the offender may reform theirselfs, a normal life sentence will be given, usually with a parole period. Judges usually give the benefit of the doubt, so thats why you only see a few actually serve real life terms
/ –
