Aim: The main goal of the study was to raise questions concerning the long life sentence and to demonstrate how it evolves and impacts the criminal, who is cast out from society and incarcerated for decades.
Methodology: The qualitative, longitudinal research’s data collection phase spanned ten years from March 2011 to December 2020, involving individuals in the sample who were interviewed 3–4 times a year, with interviews lasting on average 1.5 to 2 hours. The narrative interviews were analyzed using content analysis.
Findings: The prison system has the potential to facilitate both personality development and changes in mentality, but it can also hinder them. The legal institution of long life sentence excludes the possibility of positive changes in the convict’s mindset, not taking into account that there is a chance for the inmates' personality development during their long sentences. The legal institution of long life sentence, due to the exclusion of the possibility of review, could only be considered a rational institution in case of an infallible investigative and judicial system.
Value: The opportunity to rethink the legal institution of long life sentence. Empirical experiences useful for the prison service. Understanding the experiences and thoughts of individuals with extremely long sentences.