Límites temporales a las penas privativas de libertad atendiendo al desarrollo psicosocial

This article analyses the possible compatibility between life or very long terms imprisonment sentence and the various theories regarding the end of the sentence. In the conclusion it will be excluded the possibility of justifying life imprisonment or a very long sentence on the basis of absolute or retributive theory on two grounds: firstly, because reproaching human behaviour implies the knowledge of the type of person of the convicted, therefore, all convictions that treat the persecuted as a non-person must be rejected, on the understanding that recognition of human dignity and respect for fundamental rights cannot be restricted to a category of human beings. Secondly, because retribution looks at the “Self”, at the personal identity of the subject, which changes with time. At this point - key to this research - special importance will be given to the stages of the psycho-social development of the human person when justifying and limiting the application of sentences.