Thread: ten-year-to-life sentence

I don't understand the meaning of this phrase:

he was sentenced to imprisonment for 10 years to life

This is from one of the cases in the USA. I thought it could be either sentenced to 10 years, or sentenced to life imprisonment.

Десять лет расстрела?))
Возможно, после десяти лед отсидки предусмотрена возможность досрочного освобождения, при условии, что он станет к тому времени на путь исправления и пообещает, что больше так не будет.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that not all life sentences are created equal. In some countries, life in prison means twenty years, with an opportunity for parole after ten years. In others, like China, life imprisonment means imprisonment until death.

That's the clue. More clear, but not absolutely clear.

It means he has to serve a minimum of 10 years, after which his case comes up before a parole board which has the power to either let the sentence continue or free him. Even if he is not freed by the parole board, he is still eligible for parole later in his sentence. So, he may serve anywhere from 10 years to life; it depends on the parole board.

thank you for the explanation, sperk. i see now.