The high cost of state-sponsored killing
Submitted by James on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 10:58am
The high cost of state-sponsored killing.
RALEIGH (AP) — A Duke University professor says North Carolina could save $11 million a year if it stopped trying to execute killers.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Monday that prosecutors sought the death penalty in about a quarter of all murder trials from 2005 to 2006. Criminals were sentenced to death in less than 5 percent of the cases.
Duke economist Philip Cook published the study this month and will present his findings to lawmakers.
Cook says the rarity of death sentences in North Carolina means the penalty doesn't deter criminals. About 1,000 criminals were charged with murder in North Carolina in 2005 and 2006 and prosecutors sought the death penalty in about 250 of the case. Only 11 people were eventually sentenced to death.
What we have here is a $11 million dollar annual investment in "justice" that doesn't produce the desired effect, doesn't deter criminals, and runs the risks of executing innocent people. Why keep it up? So prosecutors can prove they're big, bad and tough when they decide to run for office?
- James's blog
- 728 reads
An easy 11 million
Bev says she wants to save money. This one's a no brainer.
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The State Bar is not an ordinary plaintiff.
Why Stop there.
Heck just imagine the amount of money and resources that are wasted pursuing Non Violent Drug offenders?
Just imagine the Revenue that would be generated by selling Marijuana in ABC stores?
Just imagine the amount of money that would be saved by reducing the penalty on Crack Cocaine Convictions from Felonies to Misdemeanors?
My point is the whole War on Drugs is one big waste of money and time. It begs one to ask since it is so obvious that it is a waste of time and money why do we continue with this stupid policy?
Because no matter what people say about saving money and all that it doesn't matter, Prisons have become big business and good ways for contractors to milk the system. Not to mention all the lawyers that would have to start chasing ambulances. And the crooked cops and DAs. Save Money? Nah, Follow the Money!
Anthony D. Hall,
Fighting for Truth, Justice, Freedom and the American Way!
http://www.lenoircountydemocraticparty.org
http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.com