Additionally, another question of the constitutionality of the death penalty is the double sentence the condemned seems to be serving. Due to reforms in the law, changes in technology and lengthy appeals the condemned prisoner may spend years awaiting death. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, these long delays cause a great deal of mental anguish since much of this time spent awaiting appeals the condemned spends living in solitary confinement, therefore; serving a double sentence. Many will argue that the condemned deserves to spend his/her final existence in solitary confinement. The problem is, some sentenced to death row are spending years awaiting the death sentence to be carried out. According to The Economist,
…show more content…
There are many aspects to look at when looking at the expense of capital punishment which includes, costs of cases where the penalty is sought but not imposed, cost of defense team, and the cost of confining an inmate to death row. According to Richard Dieter, the cost of capital punishment in California is at an estimated 137 million per year. This is a huge expense coming out of tax payers’ money. Contrary to popular belief, capital punishment is not cheaper than life in prison. Many supporters of the death penalty will cite cost as being a factor in keeping the death penalty claiming it is too expensive to care for prisoners sentenced to life without parole. However, according to Kelly Phillips, Donald McCartin, an Orange County judge states, It’s ten times more expensive to kill them than to keep them alive. The millions of dollars being put into capital punishment could be used for other organizations whose prime purpose is to maintain public safety and to direct people away from criminal behavior that could lead them to committing crimes. According to Rose, investing in mental- health and drug- and alcohol- treatment programs while improving programs that ensure people coming out of prison are prepared for society, with proper supervision and resources so that they are less likely to commit
There are many aspects to look at when looking at the expense of capital punishment which includes, costs of cases where the penalty is sought but not imposed, cost of defense team, and the cost of confining an inmate to death row. According to Richard Dieter, the cost of capital punishment in California is at an estimated 137 million per year. This is a huge expense coming out of tax payers’ money. Contrary to popular belief, capital punishment is not cheaper than life in prison. Many supporters of the death penalty will cite cost as being a factor in keeping the death penalty claiming it is too expensive to care for prisoners sentenced to life without parole. However, according to Kelly Phillips, Donald McCartin, an Orange County judge states, It’s ten times more expensive to kill them than to keep them alive. The millions of dollars being put into capital punishment could be used for other organizations whose prime purpose is to maintain public safety and to direct people away from criminal behavior that could lead them to committing crimes. According to Rose, investing in mental- health and drug- and alcohol- treatment programs while improving programs that ensure people coming out of prison are prepared for society, with proper supervision and resources so that they are less likely to commit