question: Why is it possible in the US to convict someone for several consecutive life-sentences?
comment: It's so they're guaranteed to die in prison essentially. With multiple life sentences you're almost certain to not get out on good behavior, or if your conviction is overturned I believe. Get rid of one life sentence? Cool, you still have another to go. Or maybe more like you stated they do.
passages: This is a common punishment for a double murder in the United States, and is effective because the defendant may be awarded parole after 25 years when he or she is eligible, and then must serve an "additional" 25 years in prison to be eligible for parole again. It also serves as a type of insurance that the defendant will have to serve the maximum length of at least one life sentence if, for some reason, one of the murder convictions is overturned on appeal.
   These provisions have been used in several cases since 2011, with parole ineligibility periods of 40 years (Travis Baumgartner and Alexandre Bissonnette), 50 years (in the cases of Emanuel Kahsai and Mark Smich), 70 years (in the case of Basil Borutski ), and 75 years (in the cases of Justin Bourque, John Paul Ostamas, Douglas Garland, Derek Saretzky, and Dellen Millard, Mark Smich's accomplice (originally 50 years, extended to 75 after sentencing for the murder of his father).
  
  Section::::Other offences.
   Individuals convicted of multiple murder may be given consecutive parole ineligibility periods thus extending their parole ineligibility period beyond 25 years. In rare cases this ineligibility for parole may extend beyond a normal life span, meaning, in "de facto" terms, a sentence of life-without-parole.
  
  For a reflection on the work of a Member of the Parole Board see Lubomyr Luciuk's article in The Toronto Star, "Making parole decisions is one tough job," 23 June 2016.
  
  Section::::Authority.:Record Suspensions.
   Other countries either allow multiple concurrent life sentences which can be served at the same time (e.g. Russia), or allow multiple consecutive life sentences with a single minimum term (e.g. Australia), thus allowing earlier release of the prisoner.
   Section::::Effects of the Baumes law.
  
  While the Baumes law seemed to remove authority from judges and parole boards by mandating sentences, they gradually began to work around it through the increased use of plea bargains. In cases where a life sentence would have been unjust, prosecutors became more amenable to accused parties' guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges, which would not trigger portions of the statute.
   In many countries around the world, particularly in the Commonwealth, courts have the authority to pass prison terms which may amount to "de facto" life imprisonment. For example, courts in South Africa have handed out at least two sentences that have exceeded a century, and in Tasmania, Australia, Martin Bryant, the perpetrator of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, received 35 life sentences, plus 1,035 years without parole, while Aurora Cinema shooter James Holmes, who received 12 consecutive life sentences and an extra 3,318 years without the possibility of parole for killing 12 and injuring 70 in his shooting spree, and also booby trapping his apartment with explosives. 
   These provisions of the Criminal Code came into force in December 2011, and permit a trial judge, after considering any jury recommendations, to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods extending beyond 25 years. In the most extreme cases, this can result in a "de facto" term of life imprisonment without parole (i.e. a total parole ineligibility period extending beyond the offender's life expectancy). 
   Since 2 December 2011, it is possible for back-to-back life sentences to be handed out in Canada. Before doing this, the judge must consider a jury recommendation as to whether to impose a minimum sentence of more than 25 years. The longest minimum sentence so far is 75 years, handed out to four offenders: Justin Bourque, John Paul Ostamas, Douglas Garland and Derek Saretzky.
  
  Section::::See also.
  
  BULLET::::- Incapacitation (penology)
  
  BULLET::::- Life without possibility of parole
  
  Section::::External links.
  
  BULLET::::- The Free Dictionary on Back-to-back life sentences
  
  BULLET::::- CBC: Justin Bourque gets 5 life sentences, no chance of parole for 75 years
   BULLET::::- In 1994: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. Tennessee is one of the few states, together with Georgia and South Carolina, that mandates life without parole for two or more convictions for the most serious violent crimes, including murder, rape, child sexual abuse, aggravated cases of robbery, sexual abuse or child sexual abuse, etc.
   In cases of multiple murder, after considering the jury's recommendation (if there is one), a court may also order that the parole inelibility period be served consecutively to the one being served. Amendments to the Criminal Code in 2011 permit the judge to impose consecutive parole ineligibility periods for first or second-degree murders committed as part of the same "transaction" (or as part of the same series of offences). One of the first cases where the new sentencing provisions were used was a multiple murder in Edmonton, Alberta of three armoured car guards by one of their co-workers. The perpetrator in that case was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years - 25 years for one first degree murder conviction, ordered to be served consecutively to two concurrent 15-year parole ineligibility periods for two second-degree murder convictions as part of the same series of offences. Subsequent to this sentence Justin Bourque, convicted of the first-degree murders of three RCMP officers in Moncton New Brunswick in 2014, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years. Consecutive parole ineligibility periods were also imposed in the case of serial killer John Paul Ostamas in June 2016, who was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years for the second-degree murders of three homeless men in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
   For multiple murder offences committed after December 2, 2011, a court may, after considering any jury recommendation, impose consecutive periods of parole ineligibility for each murder. While the provision is not mandatory, this means, for example, that an individual convicted of three counts of first degree murder could face life with no parole for 75 years – or 25 years for each conviction. This provision has been used in several cases where parole ineligibility periods have been extended beyond 25 years; in four cases to 75 years prior to parole eligibility.
  
  "See also:" "Life imprisonment in Canada"
   Section::::Parole and nonviolent offenses.
  
  Under the federal criminal code, however, with respect to offenses committed after December 1, 1987, parole has been abolished for all sentences handed down by the federal system, including life sentences. A life sentence from a federal court will therefore result in imprisonment for the life of the defendant unless a pardon or reprieve is granted by the President or if, upon appeal, the conviction is quashed.
   Jeb Bush and Florida Legislature not only came up with the 10-20-Life system, they also came up with or modified several acts designed for repeat offenders. These acts include Violent Career Criminal, Habitual felony offender, Habitual violent felony offender, Three-time violent felony offender, Prison Releasee Reoffender, and Dangerous Sexual Felony Offender.
   The above penalties for murder apply when an offender is convicted of a single murder. When an offender is convicted of multiple murders (either first or second-degree murder), the court has the option of imposing consecutive periods of parole ineligibility for each murder. 
   As of 2013, 4,800 offenders were serving life sentences in Canada, though only 2,880 (around 60%) were incarcerated (the remainder being on parole). The vast majority of these offenders (about 96%) were serving their sentences for murder. "Lifers" constituted 23% of the federal offender population.
   Other specifics about life sentences in the United States continue to vary widely by individual states. Also, the sentence may be given for "drug kingpins" and "habitual criminals." It has been applied in every state except Alaska, as well as in the federal courts. In Alaska, the maximum term of imprisonment is for 99 years, but that is almost always considered to be a practical life sentence as a sentence of 99 years' imprisonment, especially without parole, generally lasts beyond a normal lifespan.
  
  Section::::Statistics.
   BULLET::::- Wilbert Lee & Freddie Pitts were sentenced to death for the 1963 robbery and murder of two Port St. Joe gas station attendants. They were released and pardoned in 1975.
  
  Leon County
  
  BULLET::::- Five black men were accused of murdering an off-duty sheriff's deputy in 1970. Two were convicted (David Keaton was given the death sentence) before evidence emerged that exonerated all five.
  
  Section::::Georgia.
  
  Chatham County
   BULLET::::- David Morris was convicted in 2002 murdering three generations of the same family in 1999. His victims were 80-year-old Doris Dawson, her 34-year-old daughter Mandy Power and her two granddaughters, 10-year-old Katie and 8-year-old Emily by beating them with a pole and then setting the house on fire where their bodies were discovered by firefighters and was given a whole life sentence by the judge for the "exceptional savagery" of the murders. However, in July 2007, the sentenced was reduced to a recommendation of 32 years in prison.
   The maximum determinate sentence is a life sentence with a 25-year parole ineligibility period. For offences committed prior to December 2, 2011 all life sentences and related parole ineligibility periods are served concurrently (at the same time). In cases of multiple murder, where the offence occurred after December 2, 2011 (the date new legislation came into force), a court may, after considering any jury recommendation, order consecutive parole ineligibility periods for each murder. There are also options for an indeterminate sentence. There is no death penalty in Canada.
  
  Section::::Sentencing hearing.
   Under the "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act", trafficking, exporting or production of schedule I or II substances also carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment with a parole ineligibility period of between 7 years and 25 years.
  
  Current sentencing practices ensure that, except in the case of murder, a life sentence is rarely imposed, even when the offender is found guilty for particularly grievous offences. One common exception is cases which involve terrorism-related conspiracies.
   BULLET::::- However, as one can be sentenced to life without parole, another way to be sentenced for life in prison is a minimum number of years spent in jail depending on the life expectancy of the prisoner. Thus the prisoner will then spend the rest of his or her life in prison.
   BULLET::::- David Martin Simmons had originally received a whole-life term for rape and false imprisonment. This was reduced to a ten-year minimum when he appealed alongside Restivo, Roberts, and others whose appeals were not successful.
  
  BULLET::::- Donald Andrews had received a whole-life term for rape and kidnapping in 2012, while having two previous convictions for manslaughter. This was reduced to a twelve-year minimum when he appealed in 2015, making him eligible for release in 2024.
   Back-to-back life sentences
  
  In judicial practice, back-to-back life sentences are two or more consecutive life sentences given to a felon. This penalty is typically used to prevent the felon from ever getting released from prison.
   Minimum-sentence provisions, in terms of section 51 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, are very important for the sentencing process at present. The provisions were originally introduced as an emergency measure, renewable by the President every two years. They have now been made a permanent feature of the sentencing process. They provide for very severe punishments of various types of serious crime.
  
  The provisions provide for certain minimum sentences in respect of various categories of serious offences set out in the schedules to the Act. In certain instances these minimum sentences are life sentences: for example,
   High treason and first degree murder carry a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with a full parole ineligibility period of 25 years. Previously, in the case of high treason or first-degree murder (where the offender has been convicted of a single murder) offenders could have their parole ineligibility period reduced to no less than 15 years under the Faint hope clause. However, this option under the Criminal Code was ended by Act of Parliament, effective in December, 2011.
  