Is it cheaper to sentence life without parole or execute?

Answer 1

While it might seem cheaper to simply execute someone, a typical cost to the state to complete an execution is 20 to 50 million dollars. Executions typically take about 10 years to move through the courts with repeated hearings, appeals, motions, etc.

Life in prison is not inexpensive. In California, the state spends $30,000 per inmate per year in medium security prison. 40 years in prison will cost $1.2 million.

Much of this problem arises from a confused nature of our criminal justice and court systems. The people in many states have voted for capital punishment, but it is in fact rarely used. Most people given a death sentence are never executed; sentences are commuted, overturned, or spend so much time in the courts that the criminal dies in prison.

Answer 2

Living in jail whether being executed is not about money. It is about justice. Living in death row actually cost more. You got more guards in suicide watch.

Answer 3

it is cheaper to keep an inmate in prison rather than executing them.