Prisoners serving life sentences ("lifers") are interviewed by the Board after they have served either 10 or 15 years (depending on the date of the offense). After that initial interview, the Board is required to review each lifer case at five-year intervals. Prisoners serving for first-degree murder may be released from prison only if they receive a pardon or a commutation from the Governor. The Parole Board has the discretionary authority to parole other lifers once they have served 10 or 15 years (depending on the date of the offense) if the sentencing judge does not object.