Final answer:
It is generally more expensive to invoke the death penalty than to incarcerate an offender in prison for life. Aging inmates require more healthcare which places a burden on prison budgets. Reducing prison sentences can potentially save a significant amount of money.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of the cost, it is generally more expensive to invoke the death penalty than to incarcerate an offender in prison for life. Aging inmates require more healthcare which places a massive burden on prison budgets. Some officials estimate that the cost of incarcerating an aging person is three times higher than keeping a younger person in prison. Moreover, reducing prison sentences has proven to save a significant amount of money. For example, reducing prison sentences in Maryland saved an estimated $185 million over five years.