We’ve always heard the term “life sentence” but is this term actually used? Does life sentence exist? What does it mean? When is it applied?
LIFE SENTENCE
Life Sentence (The Shawshank Redemption) is a 1994 movie from the US. Based on Stephen King’s novel, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film wasn’t an immediate hit; in fact, it seemed destined to be forgotten but gradually became one of the most important movies in cinema history.
Life Sentence is the maximum prison penalty one can receive. But this term has been phased out and replaced by new ones. Peru is the only country still using the term. As such, “Life Sentence” literally means permanent chaining; back in the day many prisoners were chained to a wall and stayed chained for their entire sentence, hence the term “Life Sentence.” Nowadays, the term “imprisonment” is used instead of “chaining.”
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DOES IT EXIST IN SPAIN?
And in Spain? Does Life Sentence exist?
The term doesn’t technically exist in Spain. From the 1822 penal code, the term was used after abolishing the death penalty. But the 1928 penal code definitively abolished Life Sentence. Years later, specifically in 2015, it was reintroduced as Reviewable Permanent Imprisonment.
As of last year, Spain has 34 people sentenced to reviewable permanent imprisonment, but only 7 have undergone review.
Before reintroducing this penalty, the maximum continuous prison term was 40 years.
The person who has spent the longest continuous time in prison in Spain is Miguel Montes Neiro, who served 36 years in total.
What would you have to do today to get a sentence of reviewable permanent imprisonment?
This penalty is only given for aggravated murders, involving minors, vulnerable people, multiple murders, terrorism… It could be reviewed if the prisoner requests, after serving at least 25 or 35 years, depending on the crime.
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