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Webinar

Life Without Parole in the Era of Mass Incarceration

By Ashley Nellis, Ph.D.

This webinar discusses the origins of life without parole and its transformation from a rarely imposed punishment to a starkly common sentence today.

Related to: Sentencing Reform, Incarceration, Racial Justice

Fifty years ago, the United States embarked on a path of mass incarceration that created a staggering increase in the prison population made possible, in part, by lengthening prison terms and expanding the use of life without parole (LWOP). Today, 55,000 people are serving LWOP sentences.

Listen to this webinar to learn more about the origins of LWOP and its transformation from a rarely imposed punishment to a starkly common sentence today.

Speakers:

  • Christopher Seeds, Author, Death by Prison: The Emergence of Life without Parole and Perpetual Confinement (2022)
  • Keith Wattley, Executive Director, UnCommon Law
  • Anthony Willis, Served 26 Years of an LWOP sentence, commuted and released in 2022
  • Ben Finholt, Director, Just Sentencing Project, Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law

Moderator: Ashley Nellis, Ph.D., Co-Director of Research, The Sentencing Project

Related Topics

About the Author

  • Ashley Nellis, Ph.D.

    Co-Director of Research

    Ashley Nellis, Ph.D. has an academic and professional background in analyzing criminal justice policies and practices, racial disparities, juvenile justice systems, and long-term imprisonment. Her documentation of the prevalence of life imprisonment has served as a national resource for academics, advocates, policymakers, reporters, and incarcerated persons.

    Read more about Ashley

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