Quote Originally Posted by lardy View Post
If it's a life sentence, they do give up the rest of their life. Not necessarily always in jail - after the minimum sentence is done they have parole hearings which can deny them outside 'freedom'. If they do have parole then they have to check in weekly with their officer and the smallest misdemeanour puts them back inside. I expect it's pretty hard for them to find a job.

Just had a look and there are about 5,500 life sentence prisoners inside at the moment. About 300 sentences are given each year and about 200 paroles are granted.

Keep them all inside and it soon gets very expensive. Not the best way to deal with justice, perhaps, but it's got to be a consideration.

Tldr, a life sentence stays with them for life.
Maybe it would be cheaper, and more productive, to put them in chain gangs building new roads, homes , etc.