Killing Costs California $1 billion?

Fox News badly described the issues regarding closing California's death row at San Quentin prison when Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly talked to Fox News reporter Casey Stegall about propositions on the California ballot this week that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger claims will help fix the state's massive budget problems.

The Fox News clip in this video comes from the broadcast of the program "America's Newsroom" that aired on May 18, 2009.

The aerial photo of San Quentin prison comes from a page on the website of the California Department of Corrections at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Visitors/Facilities/SQ.html

The page from the website of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California with more information on the cost of the death penalty is available at http://www.aclunc.org/issues/criminal_justice/death_penalty/index.shtml

Or, you can see a national ACLU blog entry on this issue at http://blog.aclu.org/2009/05/21/save-1-billion-in-five-years-end-the-death-pe...

The photo of the execution chamber at San Quentin prison comes from a page on the website of the California Department of Corrections at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/News/DeathRow/SanQuentin/ExecutionChamberFromWitnessAr...

And, finally, as always, you can find DOZENS and DOZENS more examples of Fox News bias on my Fox News bias playlist on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A3BD2524FE99BD4D

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[BBPatterson12]

Why exactly does it cost so much to actually kill the death row inmates, anyway?

[psyhobill5150]

@BBPatterson12 because all the activist progressive layers bleed the system for billions of dollars filing 30 yrs worth of appeals trying to save the monsters. after they have the death penalty abolished in order to insure job security for themselves then they will try to abolish life imprisonment citing the same arguments.

[LiberalViewer]

@psyhobill5150 claimed the death penalty costs so much "because all the activist progressive layers bleed the system for billions of dollars filing 30 yrs worth of appeals trying to save the monsters"

In fact, The CCFAJ found that to make the death penalty system operate more efficiently would require MORE funding for competent defense and prosecution counsel and for the courts which would cost the state $95 million per year MORE than the current $137 million CA spends

Thx 4 commenting :-)

[LiberalViewer]

@BBPatterson12 wrote: "Why exactly does it cost so much to actually kill the death row inmates, anyway?"

It's the whole death penalty process. Read the answer I just posted to @MissJupitersworld or read the document you find when you Google the title:

"The Hidden Death Tax: The Secret Costs of Seeking Execution in California."

I hope that helps and

thanks for commenting :-)

[MissJupitersworld]

Not trying to criticize, just an honest question on my part- how is it possible to save money by sustaining someone's life rather than just getting rid of them?

[LiberalViewer]

@MissJupitersworld wrote: "how is it possible to save money by sustaining someone's life rather than just getting rid of them?"

Death penalty trials cost about $1.1 million more than trials for permanent imprisonment. Death row costs at least $90,000 more per inmate per year than regular prison housing. The CCFAJ found in total the death penalty costs CA $137 million/year whereas permanent imprisonment for all those currently on death row would cost just $11 million/year.

thx 4 commenting :-)

[garith21]

@mikitavi

1) Since 1978, California has executed 13 inmates, there are hundreds more on death roe, 4 times more have died from other causes instead of execution.

2) Not all on death roe are guilty, around 10% average tend to be exonerated based upon new evidence despite being found guilty previously

3) Why not spend that billion dollars solving crimes that lack funding to be solved or on programs that would help the community as a whole which deters crime on it's own.

[mikitavi]

In answer to your question - Should we jump at the chance to save 1 billion over 5 years in eliminating the death penalty? No.

I am a liberal Democrat Californian and I DO NOT believe the death penalty is there to deter crime, as you said. And if it is - screw that reason. The death penalty is there as the ultimate punishment. My tax $ will not pay for those monsters to live for the rest of their lives eating 3 meals and watching TV. They brutally killed someone, they should die to. Justice.

[akkermanism]

@UnknownUserName4267 I can assure you with 100% confidence that not one of my family members will ever end up on death fucking row and if they did they got it coming. And if one of did they would accept their consequences and shit can their appeals and die honorably even though their deeds that got them there. America is what it is. Who the fuck am I to think I am all powerful and my opinion alone will change the laws and culture of an entire fuckin country unknown 4267? Arrogance is ignorance.

[UnknownUserName4267]

People who want the death penalty are a bunch of sadistic retards. Fuck all of you.

[UnknownUserName4267]

@akkermanism

Like all proponents of the death penalty you'll change your tune when it's a member of your family.

[akkermanism]

I don't give a fuck about some rich asshole building a house or some business on the ocean and I sure as hell do not give a fuck what it cost to kill some murdering cocksucker in the long run. I'll pay my taxes and hopefully the money is earmarked for these pricks to fight their multiple murder cases. They will not win and it's all orgasmatron to me. Let's watch them sweat it out on death row having false hope because they ultimately die in the end by needle, old age or hopefully by homicide!

[crazyriders83]

Let's compromise! My plan calls for us #1 keeping the death penalty. My rational is to the point: Some fuckers deserve to die. And #2 saving taxpayers close to a billion dollars by simply switching from fancy, high tech death machines to bullets. Some will argue that I am proposing moral regression. Quite the opposite. I'm actually proposing that this nation grow the fuck up and actually deal with douchebags that rape and kill our innocents. Have a wonderful day!

[yajo891]

@MiiVersusReeseman888 didn't he say i wan't a drone to bomb assange? doesn't really sounds anti death penalty

[yajo891]

@LiberalViewer hey man i saw this clip about american prison facts that i thought you would find interesting it's about american prisons re-inveting slavery

/watch?v=nPZed8af9RI

[qabala]

It would be hillarious if they put San Quentin up for auction on Ebay.