The question asks for the length of time in France corresponding to “perpétuite” (perpetual imprisonment) and how it is applied in practice. Direct answer

• In France, the term most commonly referred to as “perpétuité” is the réclusion criminelle à perpétuité, i.e., life imprisonment. The law additionally imposes a period of sûreté (safety period) that must be served before any possibility of parole or early release can be considered. The typical duration of this period of sûreté is 18 years, but it can be extended by the Court of Assizes depending on the case, and in practice it can reach 20, 22, or 30 years. After the 30-year maximum of the period of sûreté, the judge or TAP (tribunal de l’application des peines) may consider an adjustment or possible release only in very restricted circumstances and only in two stages, with strict conditions and expert assessments. So, while the overall sentence is “life,” the reachable release window (if any) is governed by a legally defined period of sûreté, commonly up to 30 years in practice, followed by further judicial evaluation.

Context and key points

• Origin and scope: The concept was introduced in 1994 as a response to severe crimes, and initially applied to their most grave forms, including murders with particular aggravating factors (notably involving minors or public officials) as well as certain terrorist crimes, with subsequent extensions to other categories. The core feature is that the offender remains in prison for life, with no ordinary possibility of release during the sûreté period.

• Sûreté period: The standard minimum is 18 years, but the court can set a longer period (up to 30 years) depending on the gravity and circumstances of the offense. After 30 years of detention, the person may request a review by the TAP (tribunal de l’application des peines) to potentially end the impossibility of release, subject to strict conditions and expert opinions.

• Possible release pathways: Even after the 30-year mark, release is not guaranteed and remains highly conditional, requiring positive assessments of risk and social rehabilitation, as well as victim and public safety considerations. Any such decision involves a panel of judges and medical/expert evaluations.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise comparison table of the main French imprisonment terms (perpétuité incompressible, réclusion criminelle à perpétuité avec période de sûreté, and détention à perpétuité) and how their sûretés differ, with up-to-date citations.