Life Imprisonment - Overview By Jurisdiction - Summary By Country

Summary By Country

Jurisdiction (link to details) 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 Possible other sentence Under age of 18 (or 21) Pardon, amnesty, other release
Afghanistan Yes Never None Yes Murder, terrorism, violation of Islamic law Treason, drug trafficking Yes By President
Albania Yes 25 years None ?? Murder with aggravating factor Terrorism, war crimes under 18: max. 20 years imprisonment Only in extraordinary circumstances may the convicted serving life imprisonment be released on parole
Argentina Yes 20 years, or never None Yes Murder with aggravating circumstances; murder of a relative; murder of and/or by a police officer; treason Serial rape ?? By president or governor of a state (depending on jurisdiction)
Armenia Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism, collaborating with Azerbaijan forces, treason Mutiny, desertion, military crimes ?? By President
Austria Yes 15 years (Imprisonment for a definite period)
or never (Imprisonment for lifetime, when clemency is rejected by President)
None Yes Genocide Murder, leadership of a drug dealer gang, Nazi activism, production or distribution of chemical warfare agents to be used in armed conflict; abduction, robbery, rape and statutory rape if the crime causes the victim's death; sea and air piracy and arson if the crime causes the death of a large number of people under 16: max. 10 years imprisonment
16-17: max. 15 years imprisonment
18-20: max. 20 years imprisonment
Pardon by president
Australia Yes 10 years, 20 years, 25 years, or never; individually set by judge None Yes Murder of police officer or other public official, murder in South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, aircraft hijacking. Treason, terrorism, drug trafficking, rape, serious child sex offences under 18: must have minimum term set Compassionate release by Governor of state/Administrator of territory, or Governor-General
Azerbaijan Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism Drug trafficking Yes By President
Belarus Yes 25 years None ?? ?? ?? Maximum 15 years By President
Belgium Yes 10 years, or 16 years for recidivism None No None Murder under 12: never prosecution
12–15: max. detained till the age of 20
16–17: max. 30 years imprisonment
Parole by Conditional Release Commission or pardon by King
Belize Yes Never ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Bolivia No (Except in Wartime) Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Bosnia and Herzegovina No Varies, depending on sentence 45 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Brazil No ( except in wartime) Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Bulgaria Yes Never None Yes None Aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, treason, espionage, war crimes, genocide, desertion in wartime Maximum 12 years By President
Canada Yes between 7 to 25 years None Yes High treason, murder, crimes against humanity, Various crimes including Robbery, Extortion, and most offenses resulting in death. Yes, with lower parole eligibility date. Compassionate release and pardon by minister of justice
Cape Verde No Varies, depending on sentence 25 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Colombia No Varies, depending on sentence 60 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Costa Rica No Varies, depending on sentence 50 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Chile Yes 40 years or Never None Yes None Treason, Kidnapping with homicide or rape, Rape with homicide, Parricide, Robbery with homicide or rape. 14–15: max. 5 years imprisonment
16–17: max. 10 years imprisonment
By President
People's Republic of China Yes 10 years for non-violent crimes. Never for murder, rape, kidnap, setting fire, explosion, putting hazardous materials or other organized violent crimes. None No No Various Yes By courts
Croatia No Varies, depending on sentence 40 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence
Cuba Yes Never; only pardon by president None No Murder, Drug trafficking ?? Yes By President
Cyprus Yes 20 years None ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Czech Republic Yes 20 years None No None Some cases of murder, treason, terrorism, genocide, robbery, kidnapping, rape No life imprisonment sentence By President
Denmark Yes 12 years, or never None Yes ?? ?? Maximum 15 years After 12 years entitled to request to Minister of Justice; granted by King or Queen of Denmark
Dominican Republic No Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence 13–15: max. 10 years imprisonment
16–17: max. 15 years imprisonment
No life imprisonment sentence
Ecuador No Varies, depending on sentence 35 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
El Salvador No (Except in wartime) Varies, depending on sentence 75 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Egypt Yes Never None No Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, Terrorism Drug offenses Yes Pardon by president
Estonia Yes Never None Yes (de facto) ?? ?? Maximum length 10 years Pardon by president
Finland Yes 12 years for court release, any time for presidential pardon None Yes Murder, purposefully killing police officer Genocide, high treason, espionage, war crimes, homicidal terrorist act under 18: max. 15 years imprisonment
under 21: minimum 10 years for parole request
By president, Helsinki Court of Appeal
France Yes 18–22 years, 30 years, or never None Yes, but only if decided by court at sentencing None Aggravated murder, aggravated torture, treason, terrorism, drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, rape under 16: max. 20 years imprisonment By president, with countersignature from Prime minister and ministry of justice
Germany Yes 15 years None Yes, but only if decided by court at sentencing Murder, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes See details 10 years By Federal President or Minister-President
Greece Yes 16 years, or 20 years in cases of multiple life sentences None Yes Murder, terrorism ?? ?? By President
Hungary Yes 20-40 years or never None Yes Murder, after 3 violent crimes Genocide, high treason under 18: max. 15 years imprisonment By president
Honduras No Varies, depending on sentence 40 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Hong Kong Yes Individually set by judge None Yes Murder ?? Must have minimum term set By Chief Executive of Hong Kong, under the recommendation of Long Term Prison Sentences Review Board
Iceland Yes 16 years None No None Murder, Hostage taking, terrorism, treason Maximum 8 years in prison By President
India Yes 14 years or never; individually set by judge None Yes Murder, rape, robbery Kidnapping Yes May be pardoned by President or have sentence commuted by Government
Indonesia Yes Never None Yes Murder, terrorism, kidnapping, rape, treason ?? ?? By President
Iraq Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism Drug trafficking Yes By President
Ireland Yes 12–30 years or never; individually set by judge None Yes Murder, treason, some serious injuries, etc. see details See details ?? By President
Israel Yes Never None Yes Murder, terrorism Kidnapping child with intent to murder Yes By president usually after 30 years
Italy Yes 21 years, 26 years, or never None Yes Murder, terrorism, mafia association, drug trafficking, human trafficking, treason Aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, firearm trafficking under 16: max. 20 years imprisonment By president
Jamaica Yes 10–30 years or never; individually set by judge None Yes ?? ?? ?? ??
Japan Yes 10 years or never None Yes Varies by prefecture (Murder) Death sentence due to foreign aggression Yes By Emperor
Jordan Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism, espionage Drug trafficking Yes By King
Kazakhstan Yes 25 years or never None Yes Murder, terrorism ?? Maximum 20 years By President
Kiribati Yes 25 years, or never None ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Kyrgyzstan Yes Never None Yes Murder, terrorism ?? ?? By President
Kosovo No Varies, depending on sentence 40 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Laos Yes Never None Yes ?? ?? ?? ??
Latvia Yes 25 years None Yes Murder, treason, terrorism, war crimes Drug offenses, rape, robbery, sabotage, crimes against humanity ?? By President
Lebanon Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism, treason Drug trafficking and manufacturing Yes By President
Lithuania Yes 25 years None Yes Murder, terrorism ?? ?? By President
Luxemborg Yes 15 years None Yes Murder, treason Terrorism ?? By President
Macau No Varies, depending on sentence 25 years (30 in exceptional circumstances) No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Macedonia Yes 15 years None Yes Murder, terrorism Rape, robbery, drug offenses crimes against humanity Yes By President
Malaysia Yes 20 years or never None Yes Murder, drug offenses, serious firearms/ammunition/explosive offenses, terrorism, rape, sodomy, attack on monarch, violence to parliament, treason ?? ?? By King / Monarch / Federal Pardon Committee
Mexico No (exception of Chihuahua) Varies, depending on sentence 60 years (70 years if murder involves kidnapping) No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Morocco Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism, treason Drug trafficking and manufacturing Yes By King / Queen
The Netherlands Yes Never None Yes (de facto) None Attack on monarch, violence to parliament, several facts constituting an offence resulting in death of (a) person(s) (not manslaughter), manslaughter in combination with other facts, facts with intent to terrorism, treason under 12: never prosecution
12–15: max. 12 months imprisonment
16–17: max. 24 months imprisonment
By monarch (almost never granted)
Nepal Yes 20 years None No Murder, terrorism ?? ?? By president
New Zealand Yes 10 years, 17 years, 20 years, or never; individually set by judge None Yes Treason Murder, manslaughter, certain drug related under 18: must have minimum term set Sentence may be reduced or pardon granted by the Governor General (Rarely done)
Nicaragua No Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Nigeria Yes Never None Yes ?? ?? No life imprisonment sentence ??
North Korea Yes Never None Yes (de facto and de jure) Murder, espionage, treason ?? Yes By president
Northern Cyprus Yes Never; Only pardon by President None Yes Murder, Drug trafficking, terrorism, treason Espionage, war crimes, mutiny, desertion Maximum sentence for murder is 24 years; only terrorism related cases Pardon by president; requires counter signature from Prime Minister and Minister of Justice
Norway No Varies, depending on sentence 21 years (can be extended indefinitely if the criminal poses a danger to society at the end of served time), 30 years for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity Yes No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence, people over age of 15 can be sentenced by normal laws or to child protection No life imprisonment sentence
Pakistan Yes 25 years None ?? ?? ?? ?? By President
Panama No Varies, depending on sentence 50 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Paraguay No Varies, depending on sentence 25 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Peru Yes 35 years or never None Yes Murder with aggravated circumstances, terrorism, treason Serious kidnapping, violent rape attempted murder ?? By President
Poland Yes 25 years or more—individually set by judge None No None Genocide, war crimes, high treason, murder, assassination attempt of Polish president under 18: max. 25 years imprisonment Pardon by president, Amnesty by act of parliament (last amnesty in 1989)
Portugal No Varies, depending on sentence 25 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Romania Yes 20 years None ?? ?? ?? ?? By President
Republic of the Congo No Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Russia Yes, but only for man between 18 and 65 years. 25 years None No No See details under 18: max. 10 years imprisonment By President
Saudi Arabia Yes Never None No apostasy Homosexuality, Witchcraft, adultery, fornication Yes By King
Serbia No Varies, depending on sentence 40 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Singapore Yes 20 years? None Yes Kidnapping for ransom Drug trafficking, gun crime Felon detained at the President's discretion. ??
Slovakia Yes 25 years None Yes Murder, terrorism, treason Crimes against humanity, war crimes ?? By President
Slovenia Yes 25 years None Yes Murder, treason Terrorism, drug offenses, crimes against humanity ?? By President
Somalia Yes Never None No Murder, rape, robbery Sodomy, adultery, crimes against humanity Yes By President
South Africa Yes 10, 15, or 25 years None No Certain murder, rape and robbery ?? ?? ??
South Korea Yes 10 years or never None No High treason, robbery (rape) with deadly outcomes, arson, murder of relative, etc. Counterfeiting or falsification of currency Maximum 10 years (for certain violent crimes 20 years) By President and requires agreement of National Assembly
Spain No Varies, depending on sentence 40 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Syria Yes Never None No Murder, political crimes, terrorism, treason Drug offenses Yes By President
Sweden Yes 18 years, but parole hearing may be held after 10 years served, thus fixing a much later date for release on parole None Yes None Murder, kidnapping, arson, sabotage, devastation, hi-jacking, espionage, endangering public health by spread of contagion or poison, disloyalty when negotiating with foreign powers, dealing with anti-personnel mines or chemical or nuclear weapons, treason and (in wartime only) mutiny, insubordination, undermining the will to fight, desertation, unauthorised capitulation, negligence of war preparations and negligence of battle duty under 21: no life imprisonment By the District Court of Örebro.
Switzerland Yes 10 years or 15 years; individually set by judge None Yes None Aggravated murder, aggravated hostage-taking, genocide, endangering the independence of the country under 15: no imprisonment
15-17: max. 4 years imprisonment
By Federal Assembly (Parliament)
Republic of China (Taiwan) Yes 25 years
10–20 years before 30 June 2006
None Third violent crime Aggravated murder, hard drug trafficking Many violent crimes causing death, etc. Banned by Criminal Code By President
Tajikistan Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism Treason Yes By President
Tunisia Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism Drug trafficking Yes By President
Turkey Yes Never None Yes Murder,treason, terrorism, military offenses Drug trafficking, espionage Life imprisonment for juveniles is commuted to sentences of up to 24 years By President in case of permanent illness, rehabilitation, disability or decrepitude
Turkmenistan Yes Never None No Murder, terrorism Treason Yes By President
UK: England and Wales Yes 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 18, 20 and 25 - 40 years or never; individually set by judge (however, indefinite sentences are very rarely handed down) None Yes Murder All common law offences, rape, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, treason, aggravated burglary, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, hijacking, destroying or endangering safety of an aircraft, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm with criminal intent, use of a firearm to resist arrest under 21: no whole life tariff Compassionate release and pardon by Secretary of State for Justice; amnesty by Royal decree alone or with Act of Parliament (last amnesty in 1747).
UK: Scotland Yes 15–35 years; individually set by judge None Yes Murder ?? No whole life tariff Compassionate release by Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Scottish Government); amnesty by royal decree alone or with act of parliament
UK: Northern Ireland Yes 15–35 years; individually set by judge None No Murder Rape Robbery ?? General release through a referendum based agreement in 1998 (became applicable in 3 cases i, ii, iii)
Ukraine Yes 25 years None No Murder with aggravating circumstances ?? Maximum 15 years By President
United States Yes 15 years minimum to Infinite, or never (depending on crime and state) None Yes Varies by state Varies by state Yes (see above) By president or governor of a state (depending on jurisdiction)
Uruguay No Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Uzbekistan Yes, but only for man between 18 and 60 years. 25 years or never None No None Aggravated murder, terrorism Maximum 10 years By President
Vatican City Yes 21 years, 26 years, or never None No Murder, Assassination of the pope, attempted assassination of the pope, terrorism Treason No By President of Italy, in the case of Italian judicial proceedings; by the Pope, in the case of judicial proceedings conducted directly by the Vatican City State.
Venezuela No Varies, depending on sentence 30 years No No life imprisonment sentence No life imprisonment sentence ?? No life imprisonment sentence
Vietnam Yes Never None Yes (de jure) ?? ?? under 16: max. 14 years imprisonment
16-17: max. 18 years imprisonment
Usually amnesty after 20–30 years

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