The toll of life without parole sentences

Dorian Mackeroy, who did not end anyone’s life, is serving the same sentence as those who have.

He’s one of roughly 56,000 people nationwide serving life without parole — a sentence he calls a “slow death.”

LWOP was originally intended for the most severe crimes, but some people with the sentence are locked up for crimes that didn’t cause physical harm.

Mackeroy committed an armed robbery at age 22, but because of a prior crime he served time for as a teen, Florida designated him a “Prison Releasee Reoffender.” He got life — the same sentence as the Parkland school shooter.

With its unique two-strikes law, Florida leads the nation by far in life without parole, which is rapidly replacing the death penalty in some other states, too.

This clip comes from Inside Story. Our TV show, developed by formerly incarcerated people, examines the realities of the U.S. criminal justice system. See full episodes in our Inside Story playlist.

📱: Mary Conlon / The Marshall Project⁠ ⁠
🎥: The Marshall Project & VICE News⁠

#lifewithoutparole #lwop #prisons #prison #florida

[WeDilly]

So life without parole is a more brutal sentence and doesn't require the government sanctioned killing

[BrianMason-rmgv]

The amount of people on here who think you have to kill someone to get Life Without Parole is alarming. I understand the assumption to think such a sentence means a heinous crime from that person, but that isn't always the case. For example, in California, you do not have to kill anyone, you don't even need to have "intent" to kill as a " non killer". It's other slick requirements they use to implement this "death sentence ". Stop judging from sentence and dig deeper.

[redgringrumboldt]

These people really expect us to feel sorry for them! How about sending some of those tears towards their victims?

[willianlynn]

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time!!!

[jamalritchie]

So many of these comments lack empathy and compassion, isn’t the role of incarceration to rehabilitate? Imagine being a kid again, you do something your parent(s) tell you not to do, but you’re a kid and you make mistakes; of course your parent(s) find out about it bc that’s what parents do; but you get grounded…. FOR LIFE! How reasonable would that be? Sure, you broke your parents trust and may have really disappointed them but they’re not even giving you a chance to regain their trust, they just give up on you. Having compassion isn’t about forgetting the pain that was caused or forgetting victims but it’s about recognizing that mistakes happen and the same way anyone can hit the lottery, anyone can find themself in a situation where they make that split second mistake. Just consider the last mistake you’ve made, no matter how minor or significant… now think about how you’d feel if you received the maximum punishment possible for that mistake.

[MarionEnard]

It depends on what the crime is 🤔but life without parole is crazy😢😥😵 like life life, like 20 years aint enough ¿🤷‍♀️😅depending on an individuals age🤷‍♀️🧐🤦‍♀️😢🤔💯

[God-Love-Freedom]

All I can think to ask is what did he do to get the sentence?

[Traps]

What's the toll of their crimes on thier victims families?

[D.Jay.]

When a 16/17 year old with a kid participates in a violent mugging, then misses a court date, I understand the trial as an adult, but 4 years with no probation isn't doing society any good when he gets out. 2 more kids by age 22 and 2 more crimes prove the point. He needed rehabilitation at 16/17. At 22/23? Yes, he needed hard time because he was definitely going to hurt others with the rest of his youth. But not a life sentence. Send the old man out to caution the lost youth like him. Only wasting money keeping him up.

[crystalvulpine]

The comments here prove how sadistic humans really are.

[thescottman]

Why should I have sympathy for him? How heinous of a crime did he commit to get life without parole?

[leoballa]

It’s REALLY easy to avoid either one of those sentences. No sympathy given.

[swordofthedawn]

The journalist should take him into her home permanently

[VictoriousGardenosaurus]

Youd think the people screaming about budget issues would opt for a punishment that didnt so negatively effect their constituents, monetarily.

I know its not about the budget. Its about control.

[jefft]

If you take the deal, show remorse and take accountability, you don't get life. If you go to trial and make the state prove its case, then you have an issue.

[Sonic-shvh]

LOL, some hard hitting journalism there. I guess we should believe that he shoplifted a loaf of bread because he was hungry. Pathetic

[wonderwoman]

Life without parole gives you a chance to find God and develop a relationship with Him, and be forgiven for what you did.

[PunkSlapper]

Gee, this guy should have thought about this before he committed a heinous crime. I have no sympathy for those that commit violent crimes.

[bramjoosten]

He means lethal injection instead of the chair?

[noeegarcia]

It's hard to find sympathy. Since my birth, I've heard sooo many of this type cry that their punishment is harsh when, in fact the punishment wasn't enough. Judges need to throw down the punishment and make sure these people never get out. Rehabilitation is not what they want . They just want out at any cost.