A special edition of Prison Service Journal, looking at life imprisonment.
A life sentence is a form of punishment imposed on an individual for the remainder of their natural life — it will only end when they die.
Life sentences are reserved for the most serious criminal offences, such as murder, manslaughter and rape. Some offences, like murder, attract a mandatory life sentence, meaning that it is the only sanction available to a sentencing judge. For other serious offences, the court has the discretion to impose a life sentence, but they are not obliged to.
In this edition
Introducing this special issue on life sentences
By Dr Susie Hulley and Dr Serena Wright
Reflections on whole life orders
By Dr Catherine Appleton and Hannah Gilman
Exploring identity with lifers convicted of murder using the doctrine of ‘joint enterprise’
By Dr Susie Hulley and Dr Tara Young
Interview with Zahid on the process of being released from custody on a life sentence
By Dr Susie Hulley
Children and young people navigating the mandatory life sentence
By Dr Rachel Rose Tynan
Adaptation, risk, and reform later in the life course
By Ben Jarman
The experience of life-sentenced prisoners transferred to high secure psychiatric care
By Dr Gwen Adshead, Dr Callum Ross and Dr Katie Salucci
By Dr Maria Adams and Dr Daniel McCarthy
Piloting group therapy for adolescent boys serving life sentences
By Helen Thomas and Dr Celia Sadie
Situating long-tariff ‘lifers’ within current prison reform work
By Claudia Vince
