life without possibility of parole
Life without the possibility of parole is a prison sentence handed down to a convicted defendant in which they will remain incarcerated the remainder of their life, and will not have the opportunity for a conditional release before they complete this sentence. In states that have outlawed the death penalty, this is the harshest 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.
[Last reviewed in July of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Wex