Notable new testimony from DPIC on the economic costs of the death penalty

A helpful reader pointed me to this new written testimony from the Death Penalty Information Center's executive director, Richard Dieter, concerning the death penalty's economic costs.  Here is how DPIC's website explains the background and basics of this document:

On Monday, June 7, the Pennsylvania State Government Management and Cost Study Commission will hear from experts on proposals to cut the costs of various government programs.  The Commission, established in 2009, is comprised of private and public sector cost-minded leaders in Pennsylvania and has been charged with studying the management of government operations and making recommendations for cost-cutting measures.

Among the experts who will testify at the hearing is Richard Dieter, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center, who will provide information on the high costs of the death penalty.  His testimony states: "[T]he death penalty is not an essential government function and, in fact, is probably one of the least effective and most costly programs, when measured in terms of the people it affects.  What Pennsylvania calls the death penalty is in reality a very expensive form of life without parole.  Despite having the fourth largest death row in the country, Pennsylvania has not had an execution in 11 years" and no "contested execution since 1962."

Some recent related posts on the costs of capital punsihment:

• Georgia struggles to pay for a costly capital system
• The challenging economics of death causing problems in Chicago
• Great new (though still dated) examination of the death penalty and plea bargaining
• CNN now talking about the costs of the death penalty and state reforms 
• States considering laying off the death penalty during tough economic times
• The economic case against the death penalty getting more and more attention
• More discussion of cost concerns in debates over the death penalty
• Capital case cost concerns continue to inform reform debate
• Still more discussion of the costs of the death penalty
• "Opponents Focus On Cost In Death Penalty Debate"
• NY Times editorial assails "High Cost of Death Row"
• New DPIC report assails costs (and opportunity costs) of death penalty administration
• Is it true that nobody's view on the death penalty can be influenced by its costs?
• "Death penalty kills the budget"