http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_10163412
Death row plans deserve rethinking
Article Launched: 08/11/2008 12:02:49 AM PDT


STATE Sen. Gloria Romero says that estimates that put the cost of
building a new death row at San Quentin State Prison at $395.5
million is another example of the "giant black hole" California's
prison system has become for the state's troubled budget.
There is little debate that the state needs more modern, safe and
secure housing for the growing ranks of inmates who face the death
penalty.

But the cost is approaching $400,000 per cell, not to mention an
estimated cost of $58.8 million per year to staff and run the maximum-
security complex. In fact, the estimated operational costs are so
great that a recent report says the state could save money by
delaying construction.

The San Quentin cost estimates are budget-busting, even though state
auditors conclude that the proposed plan is, at this point, the
state's "least expensive" option.

The huge cost highlights the growing expense of California's death
penalty.

It takes years - and significant expense - for inmates to exhaust
their right to appeal sentences.

Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977, 14 inmates have been
executed. Meanwhile, death row's population steadily grows. There are
674 condemned inmates, 635 of them on death row at San Quentin, where
executions are carried out.

The proposed new death row is designed to hold 1,152 inmates, some of
them sharing cells with other inmates.

Marin Assemblyman Jared Huffman is right to question the state's
plans and to push for the state to consider


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other options.
Two options were tested by state auditors and determined to be much
more expensive than the San Quentin plan. Sending condemned inmates
to California's other prisons is too costly and building a new death
row at another site almost makes the San Quentin plan look like a
bargain.

The state already has $19 million invested in its San Quentin plan
and could begin construction later this year, the report points out.

The analysis also concludes the state could cover some of the
construction cost by selling a piece of the prison's property.

Huffman and Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey have urged Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger to consider sale of 40 acres at the southwest side of
the prison. This land could be used for a new ferry port, housing
(including for prison staff) and commercial development.

That option would require the state to relocate its new death row to
another portion of the prison. Despite prison officials' contention
that there is no other suitable location, Huffman maintains it is
possible.

One clear conclusion: The death penalty, as currently enacted, is
costly.

Legislators should consider either ending executions or reducing the
length of the appeals process.

Either alternative will lower the cost of housing and keeping
condemned inmates and will reduce "a giant black hole" in the state
budget.