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PermalinkVideo published January 20, 2010 | Download MP4 | View transcript
Above: As an inmate ages, his expenses behind bars can nearly triple as he requires more health care.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
KPBS wanted to calculate how much money the state pays to incarcerate an inmate for a life sentence.
We assume this inmate is not released after 25 years, which in California has been the trend according to parole statistics.
Assume Inmate X was incarcerated when he was 37.
For now, he costs taxpayers about $49,000 a year.
That’s until he reaches 55.
As he ages, his health care expenses will increase. At this point he could cost the state $150,000 a year.
If Inmate X lives until he’s 77, he will have cost California taxpayers as much $4 million to keep him in prison for life.
Comments
salzkidd | January 26, 2010 at 7:05 a.m. ― 2 years ago
I watched your program Monday night and had mixed feelings. The one thing I wanted to know was a comparison on costs to the government (and us) for these same medical expenses outside of prison to those you provided in prison. I understood the issues and problems and agreed until I heard the crimes some of these inmates committed. Knowing a couple of those seriously ill men were pedophiles made me angry and hateful, I only wished they did not get as good a treatment as they are getting. I did not feel as harsh against those found guilty of murder, but had I a loved one that was a victim I am sure I would feel the same towards them as I feel towards sexual predators, especially pedophiles. I saw that Gov. Schwarzenegger is looking towards Mexico to help relieve the problems, and I don't see that being a problem, except maybe security or corruption within the prison personnel. I am wondering costs could be offset if prisoners were given (money) points that could help them pay in an abstract way towards better health care and a more feasible way to be paroled after the age of 50 or so, or after being imprisoned for more than 10 years. I do have concerns for recidivism of sexual offenders. I can see how a sexual predator could easily be the ideal prisoner, if there are no temptations in prison, but even as an old, sickly man, I feel they can and will likely be tempted to recommit sexual crimes more than other prisoners that have spent time well in prison.
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