Reply #4: That's really the sentence before parole eligibility [View All]

[alcibiades_mystery]

It's better thought of this way: Norway does not have life without parole as a sentence. Even the worst offenders have parole opportunities at 21 years. Whether they get it is another matter altogether.

Take the example of Charles Manson. That guy has had parole opportunities since the 1980's. Is it likely that he will ever be paroled? No, it is not.

I think it's a better system in general. The way US courts hand out life without parole sentences is disturbing, to say the least, especially when the offender is very young and the judge has no discretion.