Back-to-back life sentences
In judicial practice, back-to-back life sentences are two or more consecutive life sentences given to a felon. This penalty is typically used to minimize the chance of the felon being released from prison.
This is a common punishment for a defendant convicted of multiple murder in the United States. Depending on the jurisdiction in which the case is tried, a defendant receiving a life sentence may become eligible for parole after serving a minimum length of time, on the order of 15-25 years. If a back-to-back penalty is imposed, the defendant must serve that minimum for every life sentence before parole can be granted. Such a penalty also ensures that even if some of the murder convictions are overturned on appeal, the defendant must still serve the sentences for the ones left standing.
Other countries either allow multiple concurrent life sentences which can be served at the same time (e.g. Russia), or allow multiple consecutive life sentences with a single minimum term (e.g. Australia), thus allowing earlier release of the prisoner.
Since 2 December 2011, it is possible for back-to-back life sentences to be handed out in Canada. Before doing this, the judge must consider a jury recommendation as to whether to impose a minimum sentence of more than 25 years.[1] The longest minimum sentence so far is 75 years, handed out to four offenders: Justin Bourque, John Paul Ostamas, Douglas Garland and Derek Saretzky.
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