As an inmate ages, his expenses behind bars can nearly triple as he requires more health care.
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.
