From Years to Eternity: 7 Lengthiest Prison Sentences in History

Around the world, long prison sentences, ranging from years to decades to even life, are common. However, there have been some crazy sentences. Here are some cases of mind-boggling prison time being awarded: 

Chamoy Thipyaso: 141,000 Years 

A Thai tycoon, Chamoy Thipyaso, who deceived thousands with a Ponzi scheme, was awarded a staggering 141,078 years behind bars. This is the longest prison sentence in history, and it has etched Thipyaso’s name in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

Terry Nichols: 161 Life Sentences 

In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Terry Nichols, a terrorist, was convicted on 161 counts of first-degree counts of murder and was handed 161 consecutive life sentences. He has been serving the sentence since 1997.

James Holmes: 12 Life Sentences Plus 3,318 Years 

James Holmes was given 12 life sentences, and an additional 3,318 years in prison for the 2012 Aurora, Colorado mass shooting, where he killed 12 and injured 62 others.

Abdullah Barghouti: 67 Life Sentences Plus 5,200 Years 

Behind bars for bomb-making, Abdullah Barghouti is serving 67 life sentences and an astounding 5,200 extra years. He is a Palestinian, who was a commander of Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and one of the organisation’s chief bomb makers. 

Gary Ridgway: 48 Life Sentences Plus Nearly 500 Years

The Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, was given 48 life sentences and an extra 480 years for killing 48 people between early 1980s and late 1990s. 

Brenton Tarrant: 51 Life Sentences 

For the tragic 2019 New Zealand Christchurch mosque attacks, which claimed 51 lives, injuring 40 others in two consecutive attacks, Brenton Tarrant was given 51 life imprisonments — one for each soul extinguished. 

Charles Scott Robinson: Longest Sentence in US History

Charles Scott Robinson, an Oklahoma man found guilty of raping children was handed a sentence of 30,000 years in prison, on multiple counts of child sexual abuse.