Not strictly related to your topic, but I think those with life imprisonment sentences are actually in a better position than those with say 30 - 40 years sentence. They have nothing to look forward to in life and nothing to lose if they cause trouble.
Whereas if you know you have a chance if getting out you'd be on best behaviour so you don't lose the freedom. Maybe they should get rid of life imprisonment and dangle potential freedom as a carrot to all inmates. It might make prison management a bit easier
For some at least, I think this might actually affect their behavior. "nothing to lose" brings out our worst.