CUT THIS: The Death Penalty

At a time of fiscal crisis, when there are more needs than dollars, we're calling on Sacramento to cut the death penalty. We would save $1 billion in five years without releasing a single prisoner or jeopardizing public safety—$1 billion that could be spent on education and vital social services for Californians.

We know that advocates and community members from across the state are fighting to ensure that the vital social services that make the safety net for California's most vulnerable populations aren't slashed. We're here with a small piece of the solution. Need to cut something? Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to cut this: the death penalty.

Cutting the death penalty and replacing it with the swift and certain punishment of permanent imprisonment is a smart way to save money that can better be spent elsewhere—on programs that will actually improve public safety.

Many people are surprised to learn that it costs more to sentence someone to execution than permanent imprisonment, also known as life without parole. In fact, at every step of the process, the death penalty costs more.

Did You Know...?

• Housing on death row costs at least $90,000 more per inmate per year than housing in the general prison population, where those sentenced to permanent imprisonment are housed.

• In total, the death penalty system cost California taxpayers $137 million each year, the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice found, whereas permanent imprisonment for all those currently on death row would cost just $11 million.

• On top of all of that, we need to spend $400 million to construct a new facility to house death row inmates, because the current facility is too old and overcrowded. If every person on death row were condemned to permanent imprisonment instead, we would avoid this expense.

Learn more about the cost of the death penalty in California »

Budget Justice

We can achieve Budget Justice in California with smart criminal justice reforms. 

Learn More »