Faculty of Law, University of Montenegro
Received: 26 June 2020
Accepted: 15 July 2020
UDK: 343.26
Pages: 69-87
doi: doi.org/10.47152/rkkp.58.1.2.4
The system of criminal sanctions is one of the most important issues in criminal law. This is understandable, bearing in mind that criminal sanctions represent the basic tool for implementing the protective function of criminal law. Consequently, every reform more or less includes criminal sanctions as well. In the introductory remarks of the paper, the author writes about the significance of criminal sanctions in general, and then about the sanction of detention which has taken an important position in the criminal sanctions system. Even though it was introduced to replace the previous severe punishments, it also received some complaints. The focus of this work is on the most severe forms of detention – long-term and life imprisonment, in the criminal legislation of the former Yugoslav countries. The author expresses the similarities and the differences between these legislations. This is followed by an overview of how this matter has been regulated in each of the countries from the region. Ultimately, the author provides a response to the question asked in the title of this paper – long-term or life imprisonment.
KEY WORDS: Law / serious criminal offences / long-term imprisonment / life imprisonment.
