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Simple English definitions for legal terms
indeterminate sentence
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A quick definition of indeterminate sentence:
An indeterminate sentence is when a person is given a range of years in prison instead of a specific amount of time. This means that their release date is not set in stone. After spending some time in prison, they may be able to go to a hearing to see if they can be released on parole. The idea behind this type of sentence is to give people a chance to change and improve while in prison, and if they do, they may be able to leave early.
A more thorough explanation:
An indeterminate sentence is a type of custodial sentence where the convicted person is given a range of years to serve in prison, instead of a fixed time. For example, a sentence of five to ten years. The release date of the convicted person is not fixed, and it is left open.
After serving a certain amount of time in prison, the state parole board holds a hearing to determine whether the convicted person is eligible for parole. The idea behind an indeterminate sentence is that some prisoners may be rehabilitated while in prison, and those who show progress may be released on parole before serving their full sentence.
For example, if a person is sentenced to five to ten years in prison for a crime, they may be released on parole after serving five years if they have shown progress and are deemed eligible for parole by the state parole board.
Indeterminate sentences are different from determinant sentences, where the convicted person is given a fixed term of imprisonment.