It will probably cost California more money than expected to build a new death row complex at San Quentin State Prison. That's according to a new report by the State Auditor. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
Five years ago when the new death row complex was first approved, the price tag was $220 million. Despite downsizing construction plans, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's most recent estimate is $356 million. But in her report, State Auditor Elaine Howell said the real figure is now probably about $40 million more than that or close to $400 million. She says that's because CDCR likely underestimated construction costs. In addition, the auditor's report finds it will cost about $7 million to recruit and train new staff and move inmates to the new cells. Howell estimates it will cost roughly $1.2 billion over 20 years to staff and run the new facility.
