Life imprisonment in England and Wales
Life sentence that lasts until the death of the prisoner
Why this is trending
Interest in “Life imprisonment in England and Wales” spiked on Wikipedia on 2026-07-21.
Categorised under Politics & Government, this article fits a familiar pattern. Political articles spike during elections, policy announcements, diplomatic events, or when political figures make international headlines.
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Key Takeaways
- In England and Wales, life imprisonment is a sentence that lasts until the death of the prisoner, although in most cases the prisoner will be eligible for parole after a minimum term ("tariff") set by the judge.
- Whole-life orders are usually imposed for aggravated murder.
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Source summary
WikipediaIn England and Wales, life imprisonment is a sentence that lasts until the death of the prisoner, although in most cases the prisoner will be eligible for parole after a minimum term ("tariff") set by the judge. In exceptional cases a judge may impose a "whole life order", meaning that the offender is never considered for parole, although they may still be released on compassionate grounds at the discretion of the home secretary. Whole-life orders are usually imposed for aggravated murder. The general age limit for a whole life order is 21, however those aged 18 to 20 may be granted a whole life order under exceptional circumstances.
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