Saving Costs with The Death Penalty
The death penalty debate is rife with horribly inaccurate and/or misleading death penalty costs studies, some intentionally and obviously fraudulent.
(2) INCREDIBLE COSTS: LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/03/incredible-costs-life-without-parole.html
(3) Path to execution swifter, more certain in Va., FRANK GREEN, Richmond Post-Dispatch, December 4, 2011 Page: A1 Section: News Edition: Final
http://www.timesdispatch.com/archive/path-to-execution-swifter-more-certain-in-va/article_6a4bf4fc-bff8-52b5-be5b-7d2598439957.html
(4) Wikipeadia updates these executions. Be sure and fact check wikipedia. As of Dec 2015, the Virginia death execution information is accurate, Read the links for each murderer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_executed_in_Virgina
(5) Lethal Injection: Capital Punishment in Texas During the Modern Era, By Jonathan Roger Sorensen, Rocky LeAnn Pilgrim, 2006, U of Texas Press, p154-156
http://books.google.com/books?id=IQJtCjhdGeUC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&ots=Mtji7SSu0v&dq=cost+%22death+penalty%22+Dallas+morning+news%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
(6) (a) "Duke (North Carolina) Death Penalty Cost Study (1993): Let's be honest"
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/06/duke-north-carolina-death-penalty-cost.html
(7) "Performance Office Report: Costs Incurred for Death penalty Cases", A K-Goal Audit of the Department of Corrections, by the Legislative Division of Post Audit - A Report to the Legislative Post Audit Committee, December 2003
(8) New Mexico Death Penalty Costs
"Rebuttal to Governor Richardson - Repeal of the Death Penalty in New Mexico"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/03/20/rebuttal-to-governor-richardson-repeal-of-the-death-penalty-in-new-mexico/
"Why did Gov. Richardson repeal the death penalty? His legacy"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/04/01/why-did-gov-richardson-repeal-the-death-penalty-his-legacy/
Dudley Sharp, independent researcher, death penalty expert, former opponent, 832-439-2113, CV at bottom
Preface
The death penalty debate is rife with horribly inaccurate and/or misleading death penalty costs studies, some intentionally and obviously fraudulent.
It doesn't get much worse than California, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina and Maryland. Read those first.
I encourage everyone to fact check them, something that none in the media has ever done. Instead, they just pass along the standard anti-death penalty line, as is so common with other topics in this debate (1), as well.
Could all jurisdictions save money by using the death penalty, as opposed to life without parole?
Of course.
I encourage everyone to fact check them, something that none in the media has ever done. Instead, they just pass along the standard anti-death penalty line, as is so common with other topics in this debate (1), as well.
Could all jurisdictions save money by using the death penalty, as opposed to life without parole?
Of course.
Death Penalty Costs vs Life Without Parole Costs: Study Protocol
None of the studies reflect an apples-to-apples comparison of all death penalty costs to all life without parole costs . . . not even close.
This does. Use it.
Death Penalty Costs vs Life Without Parole Costs: Study Protocol
Life Without Parole Costs
Life Without Parole Costs
Note that some of the cost studies will compare death row cell costs to general population cell costs - it is intentional deception. We all know it will be increased security or maximum-security cells.
Most of the cost studies, intentionally, avoid both geriatric care and maximum-security cells for death penalty qualified LWOP cases (2).
In California, the geriatric/medical care unit costs $80,000/yr/inmate, with the most secure maximum-security costing $176,000/inmate/yr (see California, below).
Most of the cost studies, intentionally, avoid both geriatric care and maximum-security cells for death penalty qualified LWOP cases (2).
In California, the geriatric/medical care unit costs $80,000/yr/inmate, with the most secure maximum-security costing $176,000/inmate/yr (see California, below).
LWOP, death eligible crimes, can be incarcerated for 40-60 years, with geriatric care lasting from 20-49 years. Because of lifestyle, geriatric care can begin at age 50 for criminals.
In current year dollars, they are, considerably, more expensive than what I stated.
With 40-60 years of LWOP, inclusive of pre-trial, trial and appeals that would be way more expensive than the average death penalty case or any responsible death penalty protocol, as Virginia, below.
The Virginia Example
Virginia executes within 7.1 years of sentencing, on average, with full appeals, and has executed 76% of those so sentenced (113 out of 149), within the modern death penalty era, post Gregg v Georgia (1976) (3,4).
Virginia's October 1, 2015 execution occurred after exactly 5 years of full appeals.
All states could do that, or similar, and save money over LWOP, with responsible management.
Cost studies
In current year dollars, they are, considerably, more expensive than what I stated.
With 40-60 years of LWOP, inclusive of pre-trial, trial and appeals that would be way more expensive than the average death penalty case or any responsible death penalty protocol, as Virginia, below.
The Virginia Example
Virginia executes within 7.1 years of sentencing, on average, with full appeals, and has executed 76% of those so sentenced (113 out of 149), within the modern death penalty era, post Gregg v Georgia (1976) (3,4).
Virginia's October 1, 2015 execution occurred after exactly 5 years of full appeals.
All states could do that, or similar, and save money over LWOP, with responsible management.
Cost studies
It doesn't get much worse than California, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina and Maryland. Read those first.
Texas
Contrary to consistent urban legend, an academic review, by a neutral academic, found that the verifiable costs in the oft quoted "Texas cost study" actually found the death penalty was cheaper than a life sentence (5).
I have told the Dallas Morning News (DMN), for many years, to stop using their totally inaccurate cost review. They still use it. DMN found that it costs $2.3 million per average death penalty case (for 5 cases), more than 3 times more expensive than a $750,000 life sentence. (C. Hoppe, "Executions Cost Texas Millions," The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992, 1A)
Problem is that DMN looked at the pre-trial, trial, incarceration and appellate costs of the death penalty, but only the incarceration costs of life WITH PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.
Contrary to consistent urban legend, an academic review, by a neutral academic, found that the verifiable costs in the oft quoted "Texas cost study" actually found the death penalty was cheaper than a life sentence (5).
I have told the Dallas Morning News (DMN), for many years, to stop using their totally inaccurate cost review. They still use it. DMN found that it costs $2.3 million per average death penalty case (for 5 cases), more than 3 times more expensive than a $750,000 life sentence. (C. Hoppe, "Executions Cost Texas Millions," The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992, 1A)
Problem is that DMN looked at the pre-trial, trial, incarceration and appellate costs of the death penalty, but only the incarceration costs of life WITH PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.
News irresponsibility, again.
That study looked a 5 death row cases. Texas has had 1500 since 1973.
North Carolina
Contrary to consistent media and academic misinformation, the 1993 Duke study actually finds that LWOP is more expensive that the death penalty (6a).
This is a perfect example of how bad things are in academia and media. This cost review has been quoted extensively, in academia, media and in anti-death penalty literature. Every time I have seen it cited, it has been, blatantly, misleading and in error. Not once have I found any correction from the authors, academia or media.
An updated Duke study (2004) speculated that ending the death penalty might save each North Carolinian $0.003/day (6b).
The FLORIDA Example
What happens when an average of 29 years of appeals turns into 10 years for appeals?
Florida Adjusted Total Costs
Death penalty cases $500,000
Life without parole cases $1,953, 000
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2012/12/blog-post.html
This is only a review of three cases, but represents the only effort at truly evaluating individual case costs in Florida, as opposed to some nonsensical reviews.
Note that a 10 year average for appeals, prior to execution, is 40% longer than the time in Virginia.
DEATH PENALTY COSTS: COLORADO
Cost, Deception & the Death Penalty: The Colorado Experience
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/05/cost-deception-death-penalty-colorado.html
Kansas
Yes, the "study" found that death penalty cases cost 70%, or about $500,000 more, per median case cost than for the equivalent non death penalty murder case (7).
However, the foundation was this: " . . .there was nothing we could look at to verify the accuracy of any of the data assembled for this report." (page 2) (7).
"Actual cost figures for death penalty and non-death penalty cases in Kansas don't exist." (page 10) (7).
On pages 29 and 31 the study discussed methods of saving money.
New Mexico & New Jersey
For anyone that paid any attention to New Jersey or New Mexico, you know that neither cost nor the truth played a role in either states abandonment of the death penalty.
New Mexico
New Mexico wrongly used the North Carolina cost study (6a) to determine that death penalty costs were more expensive, the opposite of the North Carolina's study's findings. Obviously, an exercise in inaccuracy. North Carolina's death penalty costs having nothing to do with New Mexico's. New Mexico didn't realize that cost study actually found life without parole to be more expensive (8). There was no effort in New Mexico (8) to fact check the NC study.
New Jersey
New Jersey conceded they could not, accurately, evaluate costs.
Issue 2, page 39, NEW JERSEY DEATH PENALTY STUDY COMMISSION REPORT, JANUARY 2007,
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/dpsc_final.pdf
and
"The
New Jersey Death Penalty Commission made significant errors within their
findings. The evidence, contrary to the Commission's findings, was so easy to
obtain that it appears either willful ignorance and/or deception guided their
report."
===============
"Death Penalty Cost Studies: Saving Costs over LWOP"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2010/03/21/death-penalty-cost-studies-saving-costs-over-lwop/
Cost Savings: The Death Penalty
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/05/07/cost-savings-the-death-penalty/
That study looked a 5 death row cases. Texas has had 1500 since 1973.
North Carolina
Contrary to consistent media and academic misinformation, the 1993 Duke study actually finds that LWOP is more expensive that the death penalty (6a).
This is a perfect example of how bad things are in academia and media. This cost review has been quoted extensively, in academia, media and in anti-death penalty literature. Every time I have seen it cited, it has been, blatantly, misleading and in error. Not once have I found any correction from the authors, academia or media.
An updated Duke study (2004) speculated that ending the death penalty might save each North Carolinian $0.003/day (6b).
The FLORIDA Example
What happens when an average of 29 years of appeals turns into 10 years for appeals?
Florida Adjusted Total Costs
Death penalty cases $500,000
Life without parole cases $1,953, 000
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2012/12/blog-post.html
This is only a review of three cases, but represents the only effort at truly evaluating individual case costs in Florida, as opposed to some nonsensical reviews.
Note that a 10 year average for appeals, prior to execution, is 40% longer than the time in Virginia.
Nevada's
Death Penalty Cost Study: How Bad Is It?
Death Penalty Costs: California
Ernie Goss' Nebraska Death Penalty Cost Study: How Bad Is It?
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2016/08/nebraskas-death-penalty-cost-study-how.html
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2016/08/nebraskas-death-penalty-cost-study-how.html
Death
Penalty Costs: Maryland
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2012/05/maryland-cost-study-problems-urban.html
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2012/05/maryland-cost-study-problems-urban.html
DEATH PENALTY COSTS: COLORADO
Cost, Deception & the Death Penalty: The Colorado Experience
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/05/cost-deception-death-penalty-colorado.html
Problems: Utah
Death Penalty Cost Study
Kansas
Yes, the "study" found that death penalty cases cost 70%, or about $500,000 more, per median case cost than for the equivalent non death penalty murder case (7).
However, the foundation was this: " . . .there was nothing we could look at to verify the accuracy of any of the data assembled for this report." (page 2) (7).
"Actual cost figures for death penalty and non-death penalty cases in Kansas don't exist." (page 10) (7).
On pages 29 and 31 the study discussed methods of saving money.
New Mexico & New Jersey
For anyone that paid any attention to New Jersey or New Mexico, you know that neither cost nor the truth played a role in either states abandonment of the death penalty.
New Mexico
New Mexico wrongly used the North Carolina cost study (6a) to determine that death penalty costs were more expensive, the opposite of the North Carolina's study's findings. Obviously, an exercise in inaccuracy. North Carolina's death penalty costs having nothing to do with New Mexico's. New Mexico didn't realize that cost study actually found life without parole to be more expensive (8). There was no effort in New Mexico (8) to fact check the NC study.
New Jersey
New Jersey conceded they could not, accurately, evaluate costs.
Issue 2, page 39, NEW JERSEY DEATH PENALTY STUDY COMMISSION REPORT, JANUARY 2007,
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/dpsc_final.pdf
and
"DEAD
WRONG: NJ Death Penalty Study Commission", Dudley Sharp, 2007,
===============
"Death Penalty Cost Studies: Saving Costs over LWOP"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2010/03/21/death-penalty-cost-studies-saving-costs-over-lwop/
Cost Savings: The Death Penalty
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/05/07/cost-savings-the-death-penalty/
======
600+ pro death penalty quotes from murder victim's families &
3300+ from some of the greatest thinkers in history
======
1) Research, w/sources, w/fact checking/vetting & critical thinking, as required of anyone within a public policy debate and which rebut all anti-death penalty claims.
The Death Penalty: Justice & Saving More Innocents
and
Students, Academics & Journalists: Death Penalty Research
7 pro death penalty experts included
(2) INCREDIBLE COSTS: LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/03/incredible-costs-life-without-parole.html
(3) Path to execution swifter, more certain in Va., FRANK GREEN, Richmond Post-Dispatch, December 4, 2011 Page: A1 Section: News Edition: Final
http://www.timesdispatch.com/archive/path-to-execution-swifter-more-certain-in-va/article_6a4bf4fc-bff8-52b5-be5b-7d2598439957.html
(4) Wikipeadia updates these executions. Be sure and fact check wikipedia. As of Dec 2015, the Virginia death execution information is accurate, Read the links for each murderer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_executed_in_Virgina
(5) Lethal Injection: Capital Punishment in Texas During the Modern Era, By Jonathan Roger Sorensen, Rocky LeAnn Pilgrim, 2006, U of Texas Press, p154-156
http://books.google.com/books?id=IQJtCjhdGeUC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&ots=Mtji7SSu0v&dq=cost+%22death+penalty%22+Dallas+morning+news%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
(6) (a) "Duke (North Carolina) Death Penalty Cost Study (1993): Let's be honest"
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/06/duke-north-carolina-death-penalty-cost.html
(b) North
Carolina Death Penalty Costs (2004)
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2015/12/north-carolina-death-penalty-costs-2004.html
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2015/12/north-carolina-death-penalty-costs-2004.html
(7) "Performance Office Report: Costs Incurred for Death penalty Cases", A K-Goal Audit of the Department of Corrections, by the Legislative Division of Post Audit - A Report to the Legislative Post Audit Committee, December 2003
(8) New Mexico Death Penalty Costs
"Rebuttal to Governor Richardson - Repeal of the Death Penalty in New Mexico"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/03/20/rebuttal-to-governor-richardson-repeal-of-the-death-penalty-in-new-mexico/
"Why did Gov. Richardson repeal the death penalty? His legacy"
http://homicidesurvivors.candothathosting.com/2009/04/01/why-did-gov-richardson-repeal-the-death-penalty-his-legacy/
======
Victim Services
Victims' Voices
