Mark-k

Once a day wordpress deletes all trashed items which had been in the trash for more then N days, where N stands for the value of EMPTY_TRASH_DAYS constant which may be defined in wp-config.php file.
This plugin presents a different way to control the number of trashed days. Instead of manually editing wp-config.php which is usually not convenient and somewhat dangerous, you can set the number of days in a settings page. 
In addition there is a tool to empty the cache from Items older the a specified number of days.
Usage: 
Get to the settings page via the menu “Options” >> “Empty trash” 
Get to the delete trash tool page via the menu “Tools” >> “Empty trash”
Network considerations: 
The plugin was not tested in a network installation, but it should work gibing the individual site admin a control over his trash which is possibly different then other sites on the network. 
The plugin do not have network wide settings
Important: 
For better or worse the plugin employs exactly the same deleting algorithm used by the wordpress version running the site.
Limitations: 
The plugin will not be able to function well if you have EMPTY_TRASH_DAYS set in your wp-confing.php

Trash emptier

Provides a configurable control over the trash emptying algorithm wordpress uses without changing wp-config.php

andyexeter

Post Lockdown protects your site-critical pages and posts by disabling all non-admin users’ ability to trash or delete them. 
It can also lock pages and posts, which will disable editing of the post as well as disabling trashing/deleting.
The plugin adds a new options page under the Settings menu in your WordPress admin panel which allows you to quickly search and 
select for all pages and posts of any post type. When you find the item you want to select, simply click it to move it to the right 
box and click Save Changes.
See the screenshots for an example of what an Editor would see when they view a list of posts with some locked and protected.

Post Lockdown

Works very well, my only criticism is that private posts/pages should be lockable, ie private posts should appear in the search form.

In order to lock them currently you need to publish them, then lock/portect, and then make it private again

Update!! the developer added the minor feuature request/bug. This plugin is now perfect!

Now perfect

I think the plugin is really useful, otherwise I wouldn't have made it ;)

Great Plugin

Allows admins to protect selected posts and pages so they cannot be trashed or deleted by non-admin users.

Trash emptier vs Post Lockdown