January 24, 2014, by Lindsay Brooke

Whole life sentences – what is to be done?

Whole Life Sentences and the Tide of European Human Rights Jurisprudence: What Is to Be Done? 

Writing in the Human Rights Law Review Dirk van Zyl Smit, Professor of Comparative and International Penal Law at The University of Nottingham, together with Pete Weatherby QC, and Simon Creighton, Solicitor discuss the type of review now required following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights that all offenders sentenced to life imprisonment have a right to both a prospect of release and a review of their sentence. A failure to provide for these twin rights meant that applicants had been deprived of their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

They focus on what must be done to ensure that all such prisoners may exercise these rights.

Professor Zyl Smit is currently leading a major study which aims to achieve justice for life prisoners across the globe. Life imprisonment worldwide: principles and practice has been funded with a grant of £222,000 from the Leverhulme Trust to look at life sentences for prisoners across the globe to ensure justice for life prisoners.

 

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