This is a prison sentence given to a convicted defendant in which they will remain in prison for their entire life and will not have the ability to a conditional release before they complete this sentence (see Parole). In states that have outlawed the death penalty, this is the most extreme sentence that one can be given. In states that still use the death penalty, many juries will recommend that the defendant serve life without the possibility of parole as opposed to being sentenced to death.
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[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]