Life imprisonment

Life imprisonment was a type of imprisonment where an individual convicted of a crime was sentenced to spend the rest of their natural lives in prison unless otherwise paroled.

Within the Federation a number of crimes were punishable by life imprisonment, including murder, treason, and mutiny.

In the aftermath of the massacre on Tarsus IV, 27 of former Governor Adrian Kodos's followers were given life sentences for their roles in the crisis. 

In 2256, Starfleet Commander Michael Burnham was stripped of rank and given a sentence of life imprisonment after an attempted mutiny against Captain Philippa Georgiou. Captain Gabriel Lorca arranged for her release into his custody on the USS Discovery (NCC-1031) to help fight the Federation-Klingon War of 2256-2257. Due to her role in helping to end the war Burnham was pardoned and her rank restored in late 2257. 

Former Presidential Chief of Staff Galif jav Velk was given a sentence of life imprisonment for the numerous crimes he committed in helping Baras Rodirya assassinate Nanietta Bacco and seize the office of President in 2385. Due to his cooperation he was allowed to serve that life sentence at the New Zealand Penal Settlement instead of a high security penal colony.