The judges ruled that Gen Videla would have to serve his life sentence in a civilian prison.

BBC: Argentina former leader Jorge Videla jailed for life

Mubarak. who ruled Egypt for 30 years, was found guilty last June of ordering the killing of protesters and was immediately transferred to Tora prison in southern Cairo to serve his life sentence.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

His outburst followed Mr Straw's approval of a decision by his predecessor, Michael Howard, that Hindley must serve all of her life sentence and never be released.

BBC: Longford 'disgusted' that Hindley will die in jail

Karl Burman, aged 24 from Kirby Close, was given a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 19 years after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

BBC: Coventry man jailed for murder of missing Shauna Lee

Under a life sentence, Yates will have to serve at least 40 years in prison before she is eligible for parole.

CNN: Andrea Yates case: Texas mother gets life in prison

The two murder convictions both carry a life sentence, which in Tennessee means Lowe will serve a mandatory 51 years in prison.

NPR: Jury Convicts Tenn Mother In Newborn Twins' Deaths

Priebke, who spent most of his life in Argentina before being extradited to Italy in 1994, was allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest due to his age and health problems.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Anger at Nazi criminal's holiday

Juries, aware that a life sentence does not mean what it says, opt for the death sentence because they perceive correctly that a murderer will then at least serve the rest of his life behind bars.

ECONOMIST: Letters