State laws establish sentencing laws and it may well have happened that in the sentencing phase, the judge sentenced the convicted offender to a life prison term, with the possibility for parole. So, a convict serving a life sentence for first or second degree murder, for example, with the possibility of parole, would receive the same parole eligibility considerations as an inmate who receives a shorter sentence. The obvious difference, of course, is that the murderer would serve a longer period of incarceration prior to being considered for parole.

While an inmate can be serving a "life" jail term, or a sentence of 15 years to life, the entire original sentence imposed by the judge can be reduced for good behavior (figuratively called "good time" credit in some states), time spent waiting for trial or sentencing, planned activities post-release, stability, and training or education programs conducted in prison.

(Reviewed 12-08)