MovieChat Forums > The Reader (2009) Discussion > Plot hole

Plot hole

posted 5 years ago by peterkneter (381)
3 replies | jump to latest

In german law lifelong imprisonment means 15 years.
So after 15 years she should have left the prison...

[–] Thaistickers (1147) 15 days ago

Can they not impose multiple sentences, as they do here in the US?

[–] xergan (896) 15 days ago

No, such nonsense was removed, you only have one life. If the person is still a danger to the public, they might be able to prolong it, but also the worst criminal will eventually get free after several years, usually when they are in their 60s.

[–] xergan (896) 15 days ago

No, 15 years is the usual minimum, after that (maybe earlier?) you can apply for early release. This takes then some time and then you can leave prison. But the applicant is still on parole for 5years. This has to happen by the applicant, if they don't act, I think they will be only "kicked out" some time after 20 years. This was here in the movie also the case, I think she got free in the late 80s, after conviction in the 60s.