Question 1

Assuming an LWOP sentence is the result of a successful plea bargain and an inmate sentenced to LWOP lives 31 years, what is the approximate cost of an LWOP sentence (in 2015 dollars)?

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the American Civil Liberties Union, the average cost of an LWOP sentence is $1.4 million in 2015 dollars. This includes the cost of housing, medical care, and other expenses for the duration of the sentence.

Question 2

Typical motions filed in capital cases involve which of the following?

Accepted Answer

All of the listed motions are typical in capital cases.

Question 3

Which of the following is a reason why voir dire in capital cases takes longer and is more expensive than voir dire in non-capital cases?

Accepted Answer

All of the reasons listed contribute to the longer and more expensive process of voir dire in capital cases. The increased peremptory challenges and dismissals for cause make it harder to select a jury, and the jurors themselves often have strong opinions or biases that require extensive questioning. In addition, for some jurisdictions with bifurcated trials, separate juries must be selected for both the guilt and penalty phases, which increases the time and resources needed for voir dire.

Question 4

What are "opportunity costs" in the context of capital punishment?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity costs refer to the benefits that are forgone or given up in order to pursue a particular course of action. In the context of capital punishment, opportunity costs would include the hidden costs of the death penalty, such as the extra time and resources that prosecutors and courts spend on capital cases, which could have been allocated to other cases.

Question 5

Incapacitation refers to the goal of preventing convicted murderers (or other capital offenders) from killing (or committing other crimes) again by executing them.

Accepted Answer

Incapacitation is one of the four traditional goals of punishment, and it aims to prevent offenders from committing any further crimes by removing their ability to do so. In the case of capital offenders, execution is seen as a way to prevent them from killing again.

Question 6

The Supreme Court considers incapacitation only a secondary consideration.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court considers incapacitation only as a secondary consideration, while the primary focus is on the punishment's retributive and deterrent functions.

Question 7

No death row inmate has ever escaped from prison.

Accepted Answer

There have been instances where death row inmates have escaped from prison, although it is rare. For example, Martin Gurule escaped from death row in Texas in 1998 but was later found dead.

Question 8

Nearly all convicted capital offenders claim they are innocent even though only a small percentage of them really are.

Accepted Answer

It is common for convicted capital offenders to claim their innocence, but statistically speaking, only a small percentage of them are found to be innocent upon further investigation or with the help of new evidence.

Question 9

For many death penalty opponents, LWOP is the "lesser of two evils." It is endorsed only because it is a tolerable alternative to the death penalty.

Accepted Answer

Many opponents of the death penalty see LWOP as a more humane and just alternative as it does not involve taking someone's life. However, some still view it as a harsh punishment and believe in alternatives such as restorative justice or rehabilitation programs.

Question 10

The enormous costs of capital punishment are not a product of the number of executions but rather the number of people death penalty jurisdictions attempt to execute.

Accepted Answer

The costs of capital punishment are not necessarily related to the number of executions, but rather the lengthy and complex legal proceedings that accompany each potential execution. These proceedings can involve extensive appeals and expert witnesses, resulting in significant costs to taxpayers. Therefore, jurisdictions that attempt to execute a larger number of people will ultimately face higher costs for capital punishment.

Question 11

Some counties have almost been bankrupted by capital trial costs.

Accepted Answer

Capital trials, which involve potential death sentences, can be incredibly expensive due to the lengthy legal process and the specialized attorneys required. In some cases, counties have struggled to afford the costs and have been pushed towards bankruptcy.

Question 12

A recent study found that capital murderers sentenced to LWOP were a greater threat to other prisoners and correctional staff than death-sentenced inmates or other murderers sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

Accepted Answer

Studies generally show that inmates sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) are not necessarily more dangerous to prison staff or other inmates than those sentenced to death or shorter terms. The behavior of inmates is influenced by a variety of factors, including prison conditions, rehabilitation programs, and individual characteristics, rather than the length or type of sentence alone.

Question 13

LWOP inmates have "nothing to lose" if they kill or commit other infractions in prison.

Accepted Answer

LWOP (Life Without Parole) inmates still face consequences for their actions in prison, such as solitary confinement, loss of privileges, or additional charges that can affect their conditions of confinement and any potential future legal considerations.

Question 14

Experience with LWOP inmates in the Alabama penal system has shown that they commit about twice as many infractions as other inmates.

Accepted Answer

Studies and reports on the behavior of LWOP (Life Without Parole) inmates have not conclusively shown that they commit about twice as many infractions as other inmates. In fact, some research suggests that LWOP inmates may not significantly differ in their conduct from other long-term prisoners, as their behavior can be influenced by a variety of factors including prison conditions, rehabilitation programs, and individual characteristics.

Question 15

Some death-sentenced inmates rehabilitate themselves while in prison and contribute to society.

Accepted Answer

There have been cases where death-sentenced inmates have been found to rehabilitate themselves while in prison, and have gone on to contribute positively to society through various means including art, writing, and advocacy work. However, it is worth noting that such cases are relatively rare and do not negate the ethical concerns around capital punishment.

Question 16

A death row inmate was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

Accepted Answer

In 2001, the Italian advocacy group Hands Off Cain nominated death row inmate and activist, Mumia Abu-Jamal, for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Question 17

According to a recent study of 39 former Indiana death row inmates who were transferred to the general prison population between 1972 and 1999 following modifications to their death sentences, the likelihood of prison violence decreased as the length of incarceration increased.

Accepted Answer

The study found that as the length of incarceration increased, the likelihood of prison violence decreased among the former death row inmates who were transferred to the general prison population in Indiana between 1972 and 1999.

Question 18

Not all former death-row inmates make model prisoners.

Accepted Answer

While some former death-row inmates may have reformed themselves and become model prisoners, this is not always the case. Some may still exhibit violent behavior or struggle with mental health issues even after their death sentences are commuted or overturned.

Question 19

No Furman-commuted death row inmate has returned to death row after killing again.

Accepted Answer

The answer of No Furman-commuted death row inmate has returned...

Question 20

Convicted murderers account for the largest number of prison killings.

Accepted Answer

Most prison killings are attributed to gang-related violence or disputes between inmates, rather than being directly committed by those convicted of murder.

Quiz 8: Future Dangerousness, Incapacitation, and Economic Costs of Capital Punishment

Assuming an LWOP sentence is the result of a successful plea bargain and an inmate sentenced to LWOP lives 31 years, what is the approximate cost of an LWOP sentence (in 2015 dollars) ?