CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ariel Castro pleaded guilty this morning to charges that he abducted and raped three Cleveland women who in May escaped from his home after more than a decade.

Castro agreed to a plea deal that will put him in prison for life without parole, plus a minimum of 1,000 years. He pleaded guilty to 937 counts of a 977-count indictment as part of the deal. His guilty plea included two charges of aggravated murder in connection with terminating the pregnancy of one of his victims.

"He's never coming out [of prison] except nailed in a box or in an ash can," Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty said after the hearing.

Judge Michael Russo accepted the guilty pleas and sentencing was set for 9 a.m. Aug. 1. Castro will be allowed to speak at his sentencing. McGinty said he expects "some representation" for Castro's victims,

, will be at the sentencing.

The victims responded to the plea deal in a statement released by their representatives at the Jones Day law firm: "Amanda, Gina, and Michelle are relieved by today's plea. They are satisfied by this resolution to the case, and are looking forward to having these legal proceedings draw to a final close in the near future.

"They continue to desire their privacy. They do not wish to speak to the media or anyone else, and they thank people for continuing to respect their privacy as they grow stronger. They are immensely grateful for the support they have received from family, friends, and the donations to the Cleveland Courage Fund."

Before Castro pleaded guilty, Russo asked him if he understood he would never leave prison because of the plea deal.

"I do understand that ... I pretty much knew I was going to get the book thrown at me," Castro told Russo.

Castro said he understood he was giving up his rights, but said there were some things he did not "comprehend because of my sexual problems through the years."

Later, Castro said, "My addiction to pornography and my sexual problem has really taken a toll on my mind."

Judge Russo cut Castro off, saying he could speak about his problems during his sentencing hearing. Castro also said he disagreed with being classified as a "sexually violent predator."

Afterward, McGinty said people should not be fooled by Castro's "woe is me act."

"He feels sorry for one person and one person only, himself," McGinty said.

Castro unnerved a city and a nation when police discovered in early May that he had kidnapped Berry, DeJesus and Knight and raped them repeatedly while holding them captive in his home for a decade.

The women escaped Castro's Seymour Avenue home on the West Side of Cleveland on May 6 with help from neighbors, prompting sentiments of joy at their release along with disbelief that they could have been held so long without being detected.

Berry gave birth to a child during that time and DNA evidence has shown that Castro was the father.

Prosecutors said they will oppose attempts by Castro to have contact with the girl he fathered with Berry.

"There's absolutely zero hope of this guy having any visitation rights," McGinty said.

As part of the plea deal, Castro's home will be turned over to the Cuyahoga County Land Bank, and it will soon be demolished, McGinty said. Castro also is giving up his right to appeal and cannot profit from the crime in any way.

The three women were reunited with family members, although Berry's mother, who never lost faith that her daughter was alive, died in 2006. The victims have intentionally remained out of the spotlight as they recover from their traumatic ordeal.

McGinty had said after Castro was initially indicted that he would consider the death penalty. The prosecutor thought it might be justified based on claims that Castro beat and tortured one of the women into suffering a miscarriage.

But legal experts said it might be difficult for McGinty to convince a jury that the death penalty was warranted.

Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone, whose ward includes the home of DeJesus, said he spoke to DeJesus' mother, Nancy Ruiz, on Thursday night and Ruiz did not want the death penalty for Castro.

"She wanted him to stay in jail for the rest of his life," Zone said.

Zone said he believes prosecutors consulted with the victims and their families while working on the plea deal.

The plea negotiations had been going on for some time. One of Castro's attorneys, Craig Weintraub, said some of the charges against Castro could not be refuted and that a deal could be worked out as long as McGinty did not press for the death penalty.

Castro was indicted twice for his crimes. The second indictment included 977 counts, including several hundred if kidnapping and rape and two of aggravated murder. Castro pleaded not guilty on July 17.