Life Imprisonment: A Global Human Rights Analysis

Life imprisonment has replaced capital punishment as the most common sentence imposed for heinous crimes worldwide, leading to international criminal justice reform. Dirk van Zyl Smit and Catherine Appleton's book "Life Imprisonment" argues for a human rights-based reappraisal of this harsh punishment, estimating that nearly half a million people face life behind bars. They conclude that life imprisonment without possibility of parole can never be just and examine the outliers to highlight the possibility of abolishing life sentences entirely.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2019
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Life imprisonment has emerged as the predominant sentence for severe crimes globally, surpassing capital punishment in prevalence. This shift has placed life imprisonment at the forefront of international criminal justice reform efforts. In their groundbreaking study, Dirk van Zyl Smit and Catherine Appleton advocate for a human rights-based reassessment of this exceptionally severe punishment. Their analysis reveals that approximately half a million individuals are currently serving life sentences, with this number expected to rise as jurisdictions increasingly abolish the death penalty and impose life sentences for offenses that would not have warranted capital punishment in the past.

Life Imprisonment delves into this phenomenon through a comprehensive data collection and legal analysis, supported by detailed maps, charts, tables, and comprehensive statistical appendices. The central question posed by the book is whether life sentences can ever be considered just. While the answer to this question may seem straightforward, it is intricately nuanced due to the diverse range of penal practices encompassed by life imprisonment. Van Zyl Smit and Appleton argue that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole can never be justified. While they acknowledge the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, they conclude that life imprisonment, as implemented worldwide, often fails to meet the standards of justice. Furthermore, the book explores the exceptions—countries that do not have life imprisonment—to underscore the potential for abolishing life sentences altogether.

Life Imprisonment serves as an invaluable resource for legal professionals, policymakers, criminologists, policy scholars, and penal reform advocates who are engaged in the delicate task of balancing justice and public safety. By examining the evolving landscape of life imprisonment, the book provides insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with this punishment, contributing to the ongoing discussions and efforts to refine and improve the criminal justice system.

Weight: 792g
Dimension: 243 x 165 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674980662