What's typically not mentioned (don't take this to mean I support the death penalty) is one of the key reasons it is so much cheaper to incarcerate criminals is because they never serve their full term. They are almost always released in less than 1/3 of the time sentenced if they are not on death row. They would rather release them than build and support more prisons.


>Here we go again with the death penalty:
>
>The most comprehensive study conducted in this country found that the death penalty costs North Carolina $2.16 million per execution over the costs of a nondeath penalty system imposing a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.
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>Moreover, the states without the death penalty have fared better in reducing their murder rates than states with the death penalty.
>
>http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/COcosttestimony.pdf
>
>>Exactly. Have real sentences that MEAN what they say.
>>
>>Then have real sentences that mean something for the victims and the taxpayer.
>>
>>More than 10 years in jail? Why? What is he going to do after coming out? Go back in.
>>
>>10 years - bye bye.
>>
>>3 strikes - you're dead.