California Per-prisoner cost doubled in 10 years

The Orange County Register reports:

The average cost to incarcerate a prisoner in California has more than doubled over the past 10 years, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

“The primary reasons are significant increases in employee compensation as well as federal court orders and settlements that have required specific program improvements (such as inmate medical care),” the LAO said.

In 2010, the average cost to incarcerate an inmate in state prison was $46,700. About three–quarters of that was spent on security and inmate health care.

Prison guards cost big money in California.