In Italy, life imprisonment (Italian: ergastolo) is the most severe punishment provided by law, and has an indeterminate length.
Article 22 of the Italian Penal Code defines life imprisonment as "perpetual, and is taken for granted in one of the establishments destined for this, with the obligation of work and with night-time isolation", thus meaning that the sentence may last for the remainder of the convicted person's life.
It is also a possible punishment for terrorism, poisoning of water or food supplies, and treason.
A person sentenced to multiple life sentences in Italy may be required by the Minister of Justice to serve a period of between 6 months to years in the "41-bis regime" of solitary confinement, subject to extension and review.
[1][2] Italian prisoners subject to special surveillance ("41-bis regime") may be in de facto solitary confinement.