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In the UK a life prison sentence usually means that the convicted person will spend, on average, 14 years behind bars.
But should life mean life? The One Show's Justin Rowlatt went to meet two families whose tragic experiences have led them to different conclusions.
ÌýThe Johnson's 22-year-old son was murdered by three youths in 2007. The Johnsons say that they will never forgive and that the life sentences given toÌýtheir son's killers were not long enough. The sentences received were minimum terms of 17 years, 16 years and 13 years in prison. To the Johnsons, the killers "should be in prison 'til they die".
ÌýLorraine Dinnegan does not agree.ÌýHer son was also murdered in 2007. His killer received a sentence of a minimum of twelve years in prison. Lorraine says she has forgiven, and that having to live with the fact you have committed murder is a life sentence in itself. She believes that once criminals have been rehabilitated, then their release should be considered.
Should life mean life? Should those who commit serious crimes, go to jail for the rest of their lives? Or do you think that criminals can be rehabilitated and released back into society?
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