[smsm42]

>>>> That said - if the authorities consider the rehabilitation to have failed, and the criminal is still dangerous after his sentence is served, they can keep him locked up for another ten years.

Hmm... how that works I wonder? I.e. somebody can be kept in the prison forever even if original sentence was, say, 10 years? How do you know if one is rehabilitated or not? It's not like criminal psychopath would have any problem telling whoever is in charge any words they want to hear and present as "sincere" picture of rehabilitation as he'd be required to get out.

And how keeping somebody in prison for 10 years is not punishment?

[wilhelm]

Here's a superficial explaination:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_imprisonment_in_Norway

The punishment can only last 21 years. If someone is kept in preventive detention the only puropose is to protect other citizens. The best comparision would be forced treatment of the criminally insane. Once they're deemed fit to return to society, they are free to go.

[smsm42]

So it is basically the same as a life sentence, but with possibility of parole after 10 years with yearly parole hearings. I wonder what is the actual terms served (including those dying in prison) for crimes like aggravated murder, terrorism, etc.