Watch: Myth #3 - The death penalty saves money

MYTH

The death penalty saves money. It costs less to kill people than to imprison them for life.

FACT

The death penalty costs millions more than a sentence of life without parole. Taxpayers' money could be used more efficiently on crime prevention programs and police.

• Death penalty trials require a lot more work.  The appeals process is longer and more expensive.

- In Kansas, death penalty trials cost 16 times more, and appeals 21 times more, than in non-death penalty cases.

- In California, the annual cost of the present death penalty system is currently $137 million USD. It would cost 70% more ($232m) if critical reforms - to ensure fair trials and eliminate wrongful convictions - were put in place.  By contrast, a system of life without parole would cost $11.5m.

"People will say we can't put a price on justice, but in fact, we do put a price on justice when we are not able to give our district attorneys, our police departments, our attorney general the funding they need." - Democratic Rep. Gail Chasey

• Some counties have been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, repeatedly increasing taxes to fund extremely expensive capital cases. 

A lot of the money fed into the death penalty system could be used for programmes aimed at reducing crime in the first place.

• Prisoners' time could be used meaningfully in prevention or education programmes, even from prison.

"My heart goes out to troublesome youngsters because I 'see' myself in them. And it is my heart to do it. I can explain my heart’s desire to help youngsters understand how wrong decisions can lead them down a path that can lead to prison. I could influence and encourage them to make better choices and strive to further their education. I could use my past mistakes as examples. I could inspire them to believe in themselves and pursue legitimate careers. I could do it, if given the opportunity, because I know how to relate to troublesome youngsters: I’ve been there. Perhaps I could persuade the adults presiding over organizations created to help youngsters or juvenile correctional facilities out there to give me a chance to work or speak with these kids (…). Once they see how the kids respond to me, they [the adults] will be impressed… " - A Mungin, from death row in Florida.  Mungin is involved in an educational program with the Victoria’s Academy.

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