
“Pine box parole” is a euphemism used to describe the plight of a criminal investigation officer who has received a life sentence (or a sentence so long that it might as well have been a life sentence) . In fiscal year 2013, federal judges sentenced 153 people to life imprisonment and another 168 to sentences long enough (more than 470 months) to serve actual life sentences. Of the 153 life sentences, 64 (42%) were in drug cases; 45% of the defendants were black; 98% were men; 105 went to court; and 69 had a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
Here are some facts that shed light on the magnitude of the problem. As of January 2015, 4,436 inmates were serving life in prison, representing 2.5% of the federal prison population, and approximately 1.1% of the population (1,983 inmates) were serving sentences greater than 470 months. These people obviously know the old adage: “Take your time, don’t let the time take you!”
How Behavior Time Out Works
The correctional system has laws to reward inmates for good behavior. But there are limitations. For example, those serving life sentences or the death penalty for heinous crimes are not eligible for reduced sentences.
For more information on reduced prison terms and sentences, it is best to consult a local criminal defense attorney about your specific circumstances.
James Eagan Holmes: 12 life sentences and 3,318 years without parole
Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 others in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, in 2012. He was sentenced to 12 life sentences for each murder plus an additional 3,318 years in prison on additional charges of attempted murder, one count of possession of an illegal explosive device, and an extended sentence for a violent crime.
Bobbie Joe Long of Florida received 28 life sentences, an additional 99 years in prison and a death sentence for raping more than 50 women and killing more than 25 of them. He answered classified ads for small appliances, and if he found a woman home alone, he would rape her.
Canteen
Inmates rely on orders from the prison canteen for everything but the basic necessities of life. Inspectors found that many new inmates have very limited access during their first days and weeks in prison: Less than a quarter (23%) of inmates surveyed said they had access to the canteen upon arrival at prison. In local jails, where most inmates begin their sentences, the rate has dropped to 21%. For many people, this is their first experience of life in prison, and they may not be sufficiently aware of the need to avoid credit and the debt that comes with it. It can often take up to two weeks for an inmate to receive his or her first meal order. Inspectors also found that less than half of the inmates they interviewed (47%) felt their dining room had a wide range of items to meet their needs. There was a lack of healthy food, and both black and Muslim prisoners felt their options further limited by the unavailability of many culturally appropriate toiletries and basic necessities. In addition, the canteen items were generally more expensive than in the conventional supermarket. The following table from inspectors does not include any specific supermarket offers or promotions:
- There should be a review of prisoner pay rates and money in possession, which have not changed since 1992 and 2008 respectively.
- Allowances for elderly inmates and other disabled persons should be reviewed and must provide sufficient income to cover new rental costs for televisions and other reasonable basic equipment.
- Compensation must be linked to performance and dedication to work, education or training and must not deter training or behavior of labor offenders.
- Inmates should not be charged an administration fee for catalog orders.
- National and international rates for phone calls from prisons should be reviewed to achieve parity with similar rates in the community.