lifewithoutparole

Life without parole, commonly abbreviated as LWOP, is a form of imprisonment in which a person is sentenced to spend the rest of their life in prison with no entitlement to release on parole. In jurisdictions that use LWOP, the sentence is described as “life without the possibility of parole” or as a whole-life order. By contrast, many systems allow some life sentences to be followed by a parole review after a set term. LWOP is most often applied to severe offenses, such as murder or other serious violent crimes, and is typically used for adults.

In the United States, LWOP is a widely used remedy for serious crimes, with variations across states. For juveniles, the legal landscape has evolved through key Supreme Court rulings. Graham v. Florida (2010) held that LWOP for juveniles for non-homicide offenses is unconstitutional, and Miller v. Alabama (2012) ruled that mandatory LWOP for juveniles is unconstitutional. Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016) established that Miller’s reasoning applies retroactively, requiring consideration of parole or different sentencing for juvenile offenders in some cases.

Internationally, approaches to LWOP vary. Some countries prohibit life without parole or restrict it to exceptional circumstances, while others employ life sentences with potential for release after long review periods. European nations often provide parole opportunities after lengthy terms; other jurisdictions impose fixed terms or reserve LWOP for the most serious offenses. Human rights groups frequently criticize LWOP for juveniles and, in some contexts, for adults, arguing it can undermine rehabilitation efforts and carries risks of irreversible errors.

Debate around LWOP centers on justice, public safety, rehabilitation, deterrence, and the proportionality of punishment. Jurisdictions continue to reform practices in response to legal challenges, evolving standards, and shifting policy priorities.