Quote:
Originally Posted by midniteowl
I definitely agree on getting rid of "25 years = Life", life sentence should mean literally, the criminal should served until he or she dies, no parole whatsoever.
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I am continually frustrated by this misunderstanding of Canadian sentencing. In Canada a life sentence means you are serving your sentence for literally every single second of your natural life until you die.
There is no 25 years = Life. It's not a real thing.
In the case of a first degree murder, you are not ellligible to be considered for parole (continuing to serve your sentence but with whatever measure of conditional freedom the parole board grants) until you have served at least 25 years.
As for never allowing parole, it is an easy idea to embrace superficially. But right now there are murderers in minimum security jails across Canada with no perimeter fences, who drive vehicles and have access to sharp tools and keys to various segments of the prison. They could escape if they wanted. They could murder other inmates or guards easily. They don't because they are not supposed to. They are trusted to a level exceeding that which is deserved by many people you will ride public transit with tomorrow morning.
I think if many people considered how little difference there can be between being in prison or being on parole for many lifers after they have a quarter century in the system, then they might reconsider the one size fits all 'no parole ever' position.