Some thoughts on life imprisonment and similar sanctions

Abstract

This paper presents the many reasons why not only reviewable permanent imprisonment, but also long-term prison sentences and the accumulation of several sentences, even if they are not of long duration, are incompatible with the principle of resocialization of sentences and with the human rights of the convicted, particularly when combined with the policy of ‘true in sentencing’. Attention will be paid as well to the not anymore in force measure of internment in security custody (“Sicherungsverwahrung”) and to the post-release probation.