The death penalty.

[Khuutra]

badgenome said:

Khuutra said:

Very interesting, though that 20 year stretch in the slammer is not the same as a literal life sentence (which I believe was the point of contention), which can last for three or four decades.

That's true. I've not found anything else comparably academic on more extended prison stays, just stuff that looks suspiciously like anti-death penalty propaganda. Either way, the savings from killing someone vs. feeding and housing them for a few decades clearly aren't what they'd seem at first blush.

On that point we agree, though I think as an issue cost effectiveness would be more appropriate a topic for a discussion about the failings of our penal system in general.