<p>Just one-fifth of all countries allow a sentence of life without parole, and most of those reserve it for murder or repeated violent crimes. If the United States is to call itself a civilized nation, it must end this cruel and ineffective practice.</p><p>via <a href='http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/opinion/sunday/sentenced-to-a-slow-death.html?_r=0'>Sentenced to a Slow Death - NYTimes.com</a>.</p>