In Denmark, a life sentence is the most severe conviction under the Penal Code and reserved for the most serious crimes. The sentence is of indeterminate length. People receiving a life sentence in Denmark can request a pardoning hearing after 12 years. If the hearing is successful, the Justice Minister grants a pardon, subject to a parole period of up to 5 years. Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment serve an average of 17 years. A person with a life sentence will not be released if it is considered likely that the offender will recommit. This means that some offenders have served a considerably longer time than the average and in recent history there are four where this has surpassed 30 years: , Palle Sørensen, Seth Sethsen and . Murderers are eligible for a life sentence, but it is generally only used when the person has a previous history of committing serious crimes or the murder is considered particularly grave. Otherwise a murderer will typically receive a time limited sentence, which can be up to 20 years in Denmark. In recent history all people receiving a life sentence have been murderers, but a person committing treason, use force against the Danish Parliament, espionage during wartime, terrorism, arson under circumstances that are life-threatening, hijack a vehicle under aggravated circumstances or willfully release nuclear substances is eligible for a life sentence. On average, slightly more than one person receives a life sentence each year, and in 2015 there were a total of 21 people serving a life sentence.
"Custody sentence" and "placement sentence"
Criminals considered dangerous can receive a "custody sentence" instead of a life sentence. This can also be used for certain crimes where a life sentence is not possible, such as rape, violence and aggravated robbery. It is often used for people with deviant personalities and is typically served in the Herstedvester Prison. It should not be confused with a "placement sentence", which is reserved for mentally ill people that are ineligible for a normal prison sentence and serve their sentence in a closed unit of a psychiatric hospital. A custody sentence always lacks a time limit and a placement sentence often lacks a time limit, but both are subject to periodic pardoning hearings. A review covering 1990–2011 showed that on average a person with a custody sentence was released after 14 years and 7 months.
Minors
A person aged between 15 and 18 years old at the time of their crime can not receive a life sentence, but is eligible for all other penalties in the Penal Code. Until 2010, their maximum possible sentence was 8 years or a "custody sentence". A person that is under 15 is below the age of accountability and can not receive a prison sentence.
