• It costs over one million dollars per execution in every state that currently has some form of capital punishment instated.  This cost covers the execution supplies, payment for the executioner and costs of trials as the defense attorney requests the sentence to be commuted to life.

•   Most state departments of correction will only mention the basic costs of supplies needed to complete the execution (totaling approximately $50-$100).  Most states would rather persuade the general public into thinking that executing an individual is a more economic way to deal with inmates, compared to the cost of housing an inmate for life.

1. Florida

• What the DOC says: It costs approximately $72.39 per day to incarcerate a Death Row inmate. (No mention of cost for supplies during execution)

• What It Really Costs: Florida spends an average of $3.2 million per execution (Miami Herald, July 10, 1988)

 Florida Department of Corrections

2. North Carolina

• What the DOC says: The total cost of all supplies and amounts of chemicals needed to successfully administer a lethal injection totals approximately $105.63.  This cost varies somewhat depending on the supplier, the current costs and the amounts of drugs being used.

•  What It Really Costs: Through the most comprehensive study completed on the death penalty in the country, it was concluded by Duke University that North Carolina spends $2.16 million more per execution over the costs of a non-death penalty murder care with a sentence of imprisonment for life (Duke University, May 1993.)

 North Carolina Department of Corrections

3. Texas

• What the DOC says: The cost of drugs totals approximately $86.08.  The cost of housing an imnate per day on death row totals approximately $53.15.

•  What It Really Costs: A death penalty case costs $2.3 million, which is about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security for 40 years. (Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992).

 Texas Department of Corrections

4. California

•  What the DOC says: No mention of costs on website

• What It Really Costs: The death penalty costs California $90 million annually beyond the ordinary costs of the justice system.  $78 million of this money was spent during the trial level.

 California Department of Corrections

5. New York

• . What the DOC says: No information is found on the death penalty.

•  What It Really Costs: Compared to $602,000 for 40 years in prison, New York taxpayers pay about $3.1 million per execution.

 New York Department of Corrections

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