NCJ Number
101589
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The British Prison Reform Trust opposes the current use of life sentences for nonhomicide offenses and the justification for the gravity of the sentence as a retributive or deterrent measure.
Abstract
The recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Penal System for restricted use of the life sentence for nonhomicide< offenses should be adopted. The mandatory life sentence for murder should be replaced by a maximum penalty of life imprisonment so as to give the courts the full range of sentencing options in murder cases. Trial judges' discretion to make recommendations for minimum sentences should be abolished, since the recommendations have been used inconsistently and only to mark extreme disapproval of the offense with long minimum incarceration periods. Parole review procedures for 'lifers' should be examined and a system of earlier and more open review introduced. Greater feedback to the inmate about criteria for refusal to grant release on license would improve administration of the life sentence. Even after parole release, a person given a life sentence remains on license for the rest of his life and may be recalled at any time for misconduct. The existing system for recall of license should be reviewed and the case for legal aid in appeals to the parole board on recalls should be considered. The assignment of lifers to smaller prison units with lower security levels where appropriate should also be reviewed.