Understanding the International Criminal Court

62. What penalties may be imposed by the Court?

The judges may impose a prison sentence, to which may be added a fine or forfeiture of the proceeds,

property and assets derived directly or indirectly from the crime committed. The Court cannot impose

a  death  sentence.  The  maximum  sentence  is  30  years.  However,  in  extreme  cases,  the  Court  may

impose a term of life imprisonment.

63. Where are the sentences served?

Convicted persons serve their prison sentences in a State designated by the Court from a list of States

which have indicated to the Court their willingness to accept convicted persons.

The conditions of imprisonment are governed by the laws of the State of enforcement and must be

consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing the treatment of prisoners.

Such  conditions  may  not  be  more  or  less  favourable  than  those  available  to  prisoners  convicted  of

similar offences in the State of enforcement.

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