A Life Sentence is a Death Sentence—Just Slower

When we think of the death penalty, we often picture courtrooms, last meals (John Coffey from The Green Mile anyone??💔) and final words before execution. But what if I told you that another form of execution exists—one that plays out over decades, behind cold prison walls, stripping people of hope and any chance at redemption? That’s exactly what life imprisonment without parole does. It may not involve a lethal injection, but it’s a death sentence all the same—just in slow motion and I just recently delved into it thanks to reading an article a guest on Season 5 of my podcast wrote and interviewed yet another guest who works for the Humane Prison Hospice Project. Fascinating conversation!

The U.S. Loves a Life Sentence

The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, and the number of people serving life sentences is staggering. Right now, 1 in 7 U.S. prisoners (over 203,000 people) are serving life sentences in prison, more than the country's entire prison population in 1970. Of the lifers, 30% are at least 55 years old. That’s an entire population of people who will never know freedom again, many of whom were handed these sentences not because they are beyond redemption but because the system is designed to punish rather than rehabilitate. According to my conversation with Laura from the Humane Prison Hospice Project who guestimated that nearly 90% of incarcerated women are in prison because they were quite literally back into a corner. They tried to run away, tried to get restraining orders, tried to get help, tried to report the domestic abuse but nothing else worked. What do you do when survival mode becomes kill or be killed?

And let’s be honest—this system doesn’t impact everyone equally. Individuals of colour are disproportionately hit with the harshest sentences, including life without parole, even for crimes that wouldn’t get the same punishment if the defendant were white. When we talk about mass incarceration, we have to talk about racial bias, systemic injustice, and the deep flaws baked into the so-called justice system.

Prison as a “Slow Death”

What does it mean to live without hope? Many people assume that life in prison is a better alternative to the death penalty because, well, at least they’re alive, right? But what kind of life is it when you wake up every day knowing that you will never step outside those walls, rebuild, or get a second chance?

Many inmates serving life sentences suffer from extreme mental deterioration—depression, hopelessness, and even suicide are rampant. Their bodies might be alive, but their futures have been permanently erased. That’s not justice. That’s a prolonged execution.

The Price Tag of Life Sentences

Beyond the human cost, there’s also the financial burden. Keeping someone incarcerated for decades costs taxpayers a fortune. We’re talking about millions of dollars that could be spent on rehabilitation, mental health programs, and actual solutions to crime—things that reduce recidivism instead of just locking people away forever. Countries like Norway focus on rehabilitation over punishment, and surprise, surprise—they have lower crime rates and fewer repeat offenders. Only 20% of Norway’s formerly incarcerated population commit another crime within two years of release. 

What’s the Alternative?

Should we really believe that a person is incapable of change just because of what they did at one moment in their lives? The reality is, that people evolve and make mistakes. They grow, they learn, they change. If we don’t at least provide the possibility of redemption, what does that say about us as a society? Also, see my last post on the Netflix Show Adolescence as often uneducated, naive, young or misinformed humans experience something traumatic or triggering and it causes them to act unlawfully. Should they get the death penalty?

Justice should be about more than just punishment—it should be about transformation. We have to ask ourselves: Do we really believe in second chances, or do we just like the idea of them? Because right now, a life sentence isn’t a second chance. It seems to be a death sentence, with a much slower clock.

ADOLESCENCE: a masterpiece of narrative television with a spotlight on grief (WARNING SPOILERS)

WARNING SPOILERS

With a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as "a masterpiece of narrative television and a stunning visual experience", Netflix's latest British drama, Adolescence, is a must-watch. It delves deep into the mind complexities of a minor, with themes of grief, shame, societal pressures, raising children and the dark sordid corners of online culture. The series begins with the relatively violent arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, accused of murdering his classmate Katie Leonard. This harrowing event sets the stage for an exploration of the emotional and psychological turmoil experienced by all those involved. ​

At its core, Adolescence is a poignant portrayal of grief in its multifaceted forms. The Miller family grapples with the devastating reality of their son's actions, leading to a profound sense of loss of the son/brother they thought they knew and of the life they once had. Each grapples with their own shame, grief, denial and anger. 

Katie's friends and family, mourning her loss, embody the raw pain of bereavement that most of us are relatively familiar with - the loss of someone through death, albeit not a horrific one such as murder. The series goes much further and sheds light on the insidious nature of online radicalization, bullying, mental health and the systems that shape young people. Jamie's quick descent serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of youth in the digital age. The narrative underscores how unchecked online influences can exacerbate feelings of isolation and anger, leading to devastating consequences. ​

One of the most striking aspects of Adolescence is its storytelling technique. Each episode is presented as a continuous single take, immersing viewers in the real-time unfolding of events. This method enhances the emotional intensity, allowing audiences to experience the characters' grief and confusion firsthand. ​The fact that Jamie was in denial of his actions when arrested and continuously approval-seeking shows just how altered his state of mind had become.

Stephen Graham's portrayal of Eddie Miller, Jamie's father, is particularly compelling, capturing the anguish of a parent confronting an unimaginable situation. ​The final scene, in the video below, is the most heartbreaking of the show in my opinion, with every facet of grief rearing its head - grief you couldn't protect your son, grief you didnt raise him right, grief he now faces prison, grief over lost innocence and youth, grief over the death of a young girl, grief for your family and the life you once shared, grief that nothing will be the same ever again. The pain is palpable in that scene.

Adolescence is more than just a crime drama; it's an incredible exploration of the varieties of grief, the challenges of modern adolescence and parenting, and the potential dangers lurking in schools and in the digital realm. This show will leave a mark on you, no doubt.