Costs of incarcerating an inmate in California for one year
|
California’s Annual Costs to Incarcerate an |
|
|
2008-09 |
|
|
Type of Expenditure |
Per Inmate Costs |
|
Security |
$19,663 |
|
|
|
|
Inmate Health Care |
$12,442 |
|
Medical care |
$8,768 |
|
Psychiatric services |
1,928 |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
998 |
|
Dental care |
748 |
|
|
|
|
Operations |
$7,214 |
|
Facility operations (maintenance, utilities, etc.) |
$4,503 |
|
Classification services |
1,773 |
|
Maintenance of inmate records |
660 |
|
Reception, testing, assignment |
261 |
|
Transportation |
18 |
|
|
|
|
Administration |
$3,493 |
|
|
|
|
Inmate Support |
$2,562 |
|
Food |
$1,475 |
|
Inmate activities |
439 |
|
Inmate employment and canteen |
407 |
|
Clothing |
171 |
|
Religious activities |
70 |
|
|
|
|
Rehabilitation Programs |
$1,612 |
|
Academic education |
$944 |
|
Vocational training |
354 |
|
Substance abuse programs |
313 |
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous |
$116 |
|
Total |
$47,102 |
§ It costs an average of about $47,000 per year to incarcerate an inmate in prison in California.
§ Over two-thirds of these costs are for security and inmate health care.
§ Since 2000-01, the average annual cost has increased by about $19,500. This includes an increase of $8,300 for inmate health care and $7,100 for security.
Source: Sacramento, CA, Legislative Analyst’s Office: http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/laomenus/sections/crim_justice/6_cj_inmatecost.aspx?catid=3