Again, that’s the purpose of a parole board: to determine rehabilitative status. Life without parole is too definitive a punishment to use for someone who may be able to be rehabilitated.
Also, keep in mind that incarceration costs $25-50k/yr per convict. Imagine if that money were spent improving primary and secondary education, or put into the university system to give many more people free rides through college — you may have a lot fewer people entering prison in the first place.
Frankly, keeping almost 1% of this country’s population in prison is a WASTE as well as a disgrace.