ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the challenges posed by life-sentenced prisoners for prison systems. It explains why the pains of imprisonment are worsened for long-term prisoners and lifers and why women experience long-term imprisonment differently than men. The chapter also describes how litigation has changed the use of the death penalty. It provides some reasons why the numbers of death sentences and actual executions have been decreasing. Further, the chapter describes the living conditions for death row inmates. State prison systems are also grappling with the challenges of housing a growing number of elderly, infirm, or chronically ill individuals, including those with life-threatening illnesses. Correctional systems have developed most of their programs based on the risks and programmatic needs of prisoners serving fewer than five years. Lifers often become more positive about their imprisonment as they age, and they can become a stabilizing influence on their living units. The United States is the only nation where youths are routinely sentenced to life in prison.
