Average ‘lifeterm’ in prison rises to 18 years

Prisoners on a life sentence are spending on average 18 years behind bars — longer than ever before, according to official research.

Figures supplied to the Irish Examiner show the average term of ‘lifers’ (primarily killers and rapists) has risen significantly.

Advocates of Victims of Homicide Ireland (AdVic) welcomed the increase but said the term life imprisonment was “a pup sold to the public”, saying it gave a “wholly false impression”.